Ruth’s tears for grandad who helped to found NHS

Star traces family past on BBC show

GAVIN & Stacey star Ruth Jones finds out how her grandad lobbied for the founding of the NHS – only to be denied a chance to work in it.

The actress and writer makes the emotional discovery on BBC1’S Who Do You Think You Are? after saying she’d “love to know more” about her grandfathers, who died before she was born.

Talking about growing up in Porthcawl, South Wales, Ruth, 54, says: “My grandmothers both lived around the corner and were involved in bringing me up, but I never knew my grandfathers. It feels like there is a missing piece because they have been these elusive figures in our family for so long.”

On her fathers’ side of the family she learns that Henry Richard Jones, born in 1897, attended to those injured in the Navy early in the 20th century before returning to work for Neath and District Medical Ai d a s s o c i a t i o n a n d then the South Wales and Monmouthshire Alliance of Medical Aid Societies.

The groups provided medical treatment to workers and families for a small subscription. Henr y lobbied Minister of Health Aneurin Bevan, a fellow Welshman, to hold talks about forming a national health service.

But when the NHS was created in 1948, Henry’s application to work in it was rejected. In tears, Ruth says: “I find that really sad because he was really f ighting for ever ybody and kept persisting, had that brilliant CV and they say ‘no sorry, no room at the inn’.

“Even though he did not then get a job with the new NHS, his work helped influence the development of the National Health Service.” An obituary in a regional pap er describ ed Ruth’s grandad as “a legend in his own li fetime” i n medical circles.

“Good on you, grandfather,” says Ruth. “You gave back to life and helped a lot of people. I am a big believer that there are reasons why stuff happens. If he had got a j ob with the NHS he may never have left Neath and moved to Porthcawl. My dad would not have met my mum and I wouldn’t be sitting here now.”

On next Monday’s show, Ruth also finds out her great-great-great-grandad on her mother’s side was a sea captain.

Good on you, grandfather.. you gave back to life and helped a lot of people RUTH JONES ON HER GRANDAD’S CAREER IN HEALTHCARE

FAMILY PRIDE Ruth grew up in South Wales LEGEND Henry Richard Jones

COMEDY CAREER Ruth with co-star James Corden

HISTORY Henry with his wife Margret