FAMOUS JEX LIVES - FREDERICK JEX MAYOR OF NORWICH 1933

FAMOUS JEX LIVES - FREDERICK JEX - MAYOR OF NORWICH 1933

STORIES OF JEX PEOPLE

A Great Civic Leader who rose from the slums of Norwich.

A man described as one of the most outstanding Citizens of his time.

Fred Jex was born in Norwich in Norfolk in England in 1886 and he died in there in the Winter of 1968. During his lifetime he bacame Lord Mayor of Norwich, an alderman and was made an Honorary Freeman of the City of Norwich, he was a Member and Chairman of the Education Committee, during his 44 years of Service he radically improved the Schools of the City.

In 1880s his parents had a Grocers shop on Cowgate on the edge of Pockthorpe he was the 6th of 12 children. They were a poor family but their customers were far more deprived, he had to leave School at 14 to make a living. He worked in a shoe factory and became a Turnshoe Maker, a skilled job for which he could earn up to £2 per week. He was described at this time as a very slim, pale young man burning with indignation at the poverty that surrounded him. He became a full time official with The National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives.

He was elected to the City Council and became one of the most respected and powerful men in the Council Chambers, Leader of the Labour Group and then the Council itself, he became in effect and was known as "The Prime Minister of Norwich" He campaigned during his time at the Council for better Schools, decent working conditions and housing with hot water and electricity.

He married Blanch Rivett and they celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1957, they had one daughter. He died in 1968 at age 82 but his name lives on in Norwich with JEX Road, JEX Avenue, JEX Lane and Blyth JEX School.

The picture below is of Fred and Blanche JEX .