Jones was orphaned as a young child and brought up by his grandparents, but his grandmother also died when he was a boy. He contracted tuberculosis as a child and as a teenager he emigrated for his health first to New Zealand and then to South Africa, where he stayed until 1920.

He was one of the first whites there to champion equal rights for Black South Africans, was imprisoned and is still honored by the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party for his work. He also became a communist and later went to live in the USSR where he became an associate and translator of Lenin.

References

Hirson, Baruch, and Williams, Gwyn A. The Delegate for Africa: David Ivon Jones, 1883-1924. (London: Core Publications, 1995)
Simons, Jack, and Simons, Ray. "Class & Colour in South Africa, 1850-1950. Chapter 12: Communist Party Formed." Available at: http://www.anc.org.za/books/ccsa12.html.
Roux, Edward. "Sidney Percival Bunting." Available at: http://www.sacp.org.za/docs/history/spbunting.html.
South African Communist Party. "David Ivon Jones." Available at: http://www.sacp.org.za/biographies/dijones.html

Indexes

European
New Zealand
Russia
South Africa
Uk/great Britain
19th Century
20th Century
Civil Rights, Advocacy
Exile or Persecution (religious, Political or Social)
Criminal Convictions, Imprisonment
Medical Problems, Chronic Illness
Orphaned (Both Parents)
Grandparents
Divorce or Premature Death of Adoptive Parent(s)
Parent(s) Died, Disappeared or Became Incapacitated