User:Denisypeasy/sandbox

{{infobox person
 * name       = John Hopla
 * image      =
 * image_size =
 * caption    =
 * birth_date = {{birth date|1882|3|5| df=y}}
 * birth_place = Pembrokeshire, Wales
 * death_date = {{Death date and age|1915|02|04|1882|df=y}}
 * death_place = Rhondda, Wales
 * occupation = Coal Miner later to become Checkweigher
 * religion   =
 * spouse     =

John Hopla (1882 – 1915) was a Welsh trade union leader before and during the Tonypandy Riots in 1910.

He established a local medical scheme to help sick and injured miners but his untimely death prevented him from seeing this scheme fully implemented.

Early life
Pembrokeshire was the county of Hopla's birth though he never knew that area, growing up in the terraced rows of Tonypandy with the signs of the expanding coal industry all around him. The 1901 Census shows him living in Kenry Street, Tonypandy, a nineteen year old living with his parents and four siblings. He was known as Jack. The 1911 Census indicates that Hopla had moved but not far away. He was now living with his wife Eleanor Maude in Ardwyn Terrace just around the corner from Kenry Street.

Trade Union Activity
Hopla worked in the Glamorgan Colliery in Llwynypia not far from his home in Tonypandy. He soon advanced to become a Checkweigher at the colliery which was part of the giant Cambrian Combine owned by D. A. Thomas (later to become Lord Rhondda). As a young activist in the South Wales Miner's Federation he was at the forefront of campaigns to obtain better wages and to improve the conditions for miners and their families. The respect and trust that his colleagues had for him led to his election as Chairman of the Glamorgan Colliery lodge, representing over 3000 miners. He established a medical scheme in the district to help sick and injured miners and their families. Though it was not fully implemented at the the time of his premature death the principles on which it operated were established.

The Cambrian Combine Strike 1910-11
During the great Cambrian Combine Strike 1910-11 Hopla was one of the foremost of the miners’ leaders and together with Will John (later a Rhondda MP) formed the Cambrian Joint Strike Committee to co-ordinate the strike campaign against the powerful coal magnate David Alfred Thomas. (4)

Even in the later stages of the strike with strike funds running low and much hardship he was still prepared to continue the strike and hoped to get Lodges across the coalfield in both Wales and England to join in an all out strike for a minimum wage. (5)

Always at the forefront of any action to win the strike he was a main target of the police (the Chief Constable wrote confidentially to the Home Office that they were building up evidence against Hopla and that if he were jailed the strike would collapse). Hopla was brought for trial at Pontypridd in February 1911 on a charge of intimidation against men continuing to work at the Britannic Colliery Gilfach Goch. On this occasion he was bound over to keep the peace for six months. (6)

In July 1911 outside the Ely Pit Penygraig men had started to break the strike and to return to work and this led to violent confrontation, police and the military had to be brought in to restore order. John Hopla and Will John, Chair of the Strike Committee, were both arrested and accused of inciting the riot. They were not brought for trial until after the strike had been settled and the men returned to work in September 1911 (7)

Imprisonment 1911 and Release 1912
In November at the Court in Cardiff both men were brought for trial and in spite of pleas from chapel deacons and the MP for Rhondda, William Abraham ‘Mabon’ they were both sentenced to a year’s imprisonment with hard labour for “unlawful assembly and rioting at Tonypandy on July 25th. In 1912 after the settlement of the National Coal strike which had not seen any violence, the Home Secretary, as a show of clemency, commuted the sentences to 6 months. (8) On release both men received hero’s welcome and were met by a large crowd at the Mid-Rhondda Athletic Ground, Tonypandy. (10)

Untimely Death
Hopla returned to work and took back his place on the Executive of the South Wales Miners Federation His health was deteriorating in 1912 and he passed away March 1914 <(ref required).> He was 33 years of age.

Memorial Plaque
In 1916 The Llwynypia Workmen’s Institute and Library unveiled a marble plaque to him which acknowledged his role as: •	President of the Institute •	Chairman of the Llwynypia Workmen’s Medical Scheme •	Chairman of the Llwynypia Workmen’s Committee •	Executive member of the South Wales Miners Federation

At the unveiling, representatives of the coal owners spoke about his qualities and intellect. (14)

With the demolition of the Llwynypia Workinmen’s Institute and Library the plaque was re-sited at the NUM Club in Tonypandy where it became forgotten and hidden behind panelling. After an appeal by Mr. David Maddox (Historian) OBE and Mr. Gwyn Evans the plaque was rescued and restored and is now displayed at the Rhondda Heritage Park Museum. (15)