John Hindley, 1st Viscount Hyndley
John Scott Hindley, 1st Viscount Hyndley | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Scott Hindley Template:Birth date |
| Died | January 5, 1963 (aged 79) |
| Other names | Sir John Hindley, 1st Baronet (1927–1931); The Lord Hyndley (1931–1948) |
| Occupation | Industrialist |
| Years active | 1900s–1951 |
| Known for | First chairman of the National Coal Board |
John Scott Hindley, 1st Viscount Hyndley, GBE (24 October 1883 – 5 January 1963), initially known as Sir John Hindley, 1st Baronet from 1927 to 1931 and later as The Lord Hyndley between 1931 and 1948, was a prominent British industrialist who became the inaugural chairman of the National Coal Board upon its formation on 1 January 1947.
Background
Born to Reverend William Talbot Hindley, vicar of Meads, Sussex, and Caroline Scott, Hindley received his education at Weymouth College from 1899 until 1901. He began his career as an engineering apprentice at Murton colliery in County Durham, but before completing his apprenticeship, he transitioned towards the commercial aspects of the mining industry.
Business career
Between 1931 and 1945, Hindley held a directorship at the Bank of England and simultaneously served as managing director of Powell Duffryn Ltd collieries from 1931 through 1946. In 1947, he was appointed the first chairman of the newly established National Coal Board, a position he maintained until 1951.
Although the Attlee administration promoted nationalization ideals, operational management largely continued under the influence of pre-existing industry leaders during Hindley’s leadership. He was at the helm during the catastrophic Easington Colliery explosion on 29 May 1951, which he publicly recognized as the most severe accident in NCB history.
Hindley's distinguished honours include being knighted in the 1921 Birthday Honours, receiving a baronetcy in 1927, elevation to Baron Hyndley in 1931, appointment as Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (GBE) in 1939 for public service contributions, and creation as Viscount Hyndley in 1947.
In addition, he held the position of master of the Clothworkers' Company in 1953. The Viscount Hyndley Trophy, named to commemorate him, was awarded annually to the British National Coal Board boxing champion.
Family
In 1909, Lord Hyndley wed Vera Westoll, having previously been employed by her father James Westoll at Murton colliery. The couple had two daughters: Joyce and Elizabeth (known as Betty). The National Coal Board honored Elizabeth by naming a coal ship SS Betty Hindley in 1947. This vessel holds historical significance as it was the final ship lost due to enemy action during World War II when it struck an unexploded mine near Scarborough in October that year.
Lord Hyndley passed away on 5 January 1963 at age 79. Upon his death, his baronetcy and both peerages became extinct.
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