Born in Llangollen, in Denbighshire, Jones became an apprentice baker when he was fifteen, but later followed his father and elder brother into coal mining, working at Wynnstay, Gresford and then Llay Main.
He joined the North Wales Miners' Association (NWMA), representing Llay Main on its council, and then becoming the union's president.
[1] By 1954, Jones was the longest-serving member of the NUM's executive, and he won election as the union's vice president.
He defeated Alex Moffat to retain the vice-presidency in both 1955 and 1959, and also served a term as secretary of the Miners' International Federation.
Following the death of president-elect Alwyn Machen in 1960, Jones spent a few months as acting president of the union, retiring in 1961.