Rhys, John Thomas (J.T.), Rev., 1867-1938

Person

Rhys, John Thomas (J.T.), Rev., 1867-1938

• Rees, J.T. Rev.

• JT, JTR

1867-1938

John Thomas Rhys (also known as JT or JTR) (1867-1938) was a Welsh Congregational Minister, chapel builder, fund-raiser, journalist, and private secretary to Dame Margaret Lloyd-George (1917-1922), wife of David Lloyd George (1863-1945), Prime Minister.
Born John Rees on 9th December 1867, in Llanybydder, Cardiganshire, the third son of Mary Thomas, dressmaker (1839-1922) and George Rees (1836-1903), nurseryman. Originally trained as a draper in Ebbw Vale, South Wales, and in London, JTR found his calling to the ministry and trained for the church, later being ordained as a Congregational Minister in South Wales. It was around this time he adopted the traditional Welsh spelling of Rhys and at some point added Thomas as a middle name. He then built a church in both Swansea and Pontycymer.
During the First World War and seeking to contribute more to the war effort, in 1917 he left the ministry and became Metropolitan Secretary of the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society. It was during this period he worked with Viscountess Sybil Rhondda for fundraising efforts, and shortly afterward he was invited to join the staff at David Lloyd George’s No.10, thus becoming the private secretary of Mrs. Margaret Lloyd George. He subsequently became responsible for writing Mrs. Lloyd George's speeches, as well as overseeing the day-to-day running of her correspondence, itinerary, and fundraising causes.
After his tenure at No.10, JTR returned to the ministry as pastor of Twickenham Congregational Church in 1923. He remained an active journalist, temperance campaigner, and preacher on the Congregationalist circuits, writing many articles, columns, and letters. He died in London on 6th July 1938, aged 70.