It was during his time with M & M that he developed the various symptoms which in 1991 doctors were eventually able to diagnose as leukaemia and he was told that he had 18 months to live. Vic always enjoyed a discussion or even a robust verbal argument. He would often take a view point quite contrary to the one he actually held just for the sake of a good, healthy debate. Many of these he had with Ted, Ken and George and any and everyone else who would care to join in. This contrariness was to stand him in good stead because he decided that 18 months were totally inadequate for his needs and he spent the following 7 years in constant battle against what eventually proved to be the inevitable.
As if battling against his illness was not enough, for a good few of those last years he was locked in conflict with NHS civil servants who were constantly informing him, against all the medical evidence to the contrary, that he was sufficiently healthy to work, therefore, the financial assistance which he and his family needed, and to which they were entitled, was denied him; after much heartache eventually common sense prevailed. Typically knowledge of this hardship was kept from the wider family.
Although unable to work he took an extremely active part in the politics of Southwark to which he was elected as a Liberal Democrat councillor for the Rotherhithe Ward in 1986, a few years before his illness was diagnosed. Vic had a very strong social conscience and he would always support the underdog and what he felt to be the cause of right and justice. He proved to be a tower of strength on behalf of those for whom during the next 12 years he was to battle.
His creed was liberal but he was also strongly independent and unorthodox which enabled his Party, despite the fact that they were in opposition in Southwark, to have an influence way above their position in relation to the ruling Labour Party. Thanks in particular to Vic, they were able to have a considerable influence in the political and social life of the borough. Vic was a driving force in the modernisation of the shopping area known as “The Blue” which, until his dedicated involvement, was a run-down and dying area.
Sometime during this period as a tribute to his political labours, Vic and Sandra had a proud day in the sun when they were invited to Buckingham Palace to attend a Garden Party in the presence of the Queen. Those whom Vic represented saw, by his daily actions on their behalf, his integrity, strength of character and sensitivity and they held him in high esteem. It is probably true that he derived more pleasure from what he was able to achieve to resolve the problems of those people than he did from his trip down The Mall.
From the outset he had known that there was no cure for his particular form of leukaemia. Perhaps only Sandra would have had any idea of his inevitable inner torment but for the outside world it was always business as usual; this was evident right until the last. Only four days before his death he was out and about on the streets of Southwark campaigning on behalf of his Party in connection with a by-election; by that evening he was in the hospital where those very few days later he died.
What you saw was what you got with Vic. He hadn’t always been an angel because, after all, he was a very human being. When he believed he was right he spoke and acted with an indifference to common opinion. He would prick pomposity whenever it crossed his path but above all he was good company, natural, quick witted, provocative, amusing and raised one’s spirits. He was a good raconteur and had a great sense of timing when, usually with a deadpan face, he told jokes; they were always followed by a huge grin.
It is probably true to say that dancing was not one of his favourite pastimes and this was no more evident than at his own wedding when he preferred to play cards rather than spending time on the dance floor.
Vic’s nature was the reverse of materialistic, which in light of his love of gambling was just as well. He, sometimes in the company of Ken, would go greyhound racing and rumour has it that the only time he could pass a bookmaker’s without entering to place a bet was when it was closed. From time to time his gambling proved to be successful, to the degree that on one occasion he was able to buy for cash a new Ford Popular car; apparently his luck changed and it was not too longer afterwards that it was sold. On a further occasion, or perhaps the same one, he found himself barred from some bookmaking establishments because he was winning too frequently.
Vic also enjoyed travelling, a practice which was necessary for those occasions when he wished to see, live, his horse or dog losing. One of his last social functions took place on the evening of the 5th September 1998 at Catford Greyhound Stadium. He and his son, Tony, organised a family visit of about 16 strong to the Stadium in celebration of the 68th wedding anniversary of Peg and Ted and in particular had the 8th race ‘Elizabeth & Edward’s 68th Wedding Anniversary Stakes’ dedicated to them. After the race Ted, accompanied by the whole family group, made his way to the inside of the track where he presented a trophy to the winning dog owner and cash prizes to each of the owners of the first three dogs.
Not wishing to bring unhappiness to Peg and Ted he did not tell them of his illness, although as his kidneys became more and more infected and the colour of his skin darkened they must have had some very grave doubts as to how healthy he was. However, laughing and joking with them as he always did and with his spirits always high, he was able to keep his condition from them until the last few months of his life and even then played down the seriousness of it.
“Hundreds of mourners gathered at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday to pay their final respects to Vic Jones, the Rotherhithe Ward councillor who died on October 15, aged 53, after a long fight against cancer.
Born on VE Day, May 8 1945, and therefore named ‘Victor’ by his parents, he was the joint longest serving councillor in Southwark, elected in 1986, and held several posts for the Liberal Democrat party.
Lib Dem leader Hilary Wines paid tribute to Jones’ courage and commitment. ‘He was an absolutely brilliant councillor. He was so committed, particularly to those who badly needed help and especially the elderly and disabled. He never said no, even on Christmas Day. He also had enormous physical and moral courage.’
Jones developed leukaemia eight years ago, but refused to let the illness stop him from working. Labour leader Niall Duffy added: ‘In this age of spin doctors and lobbyists, Vic stood out. With Vic what you saw was what you got, and you had to admire him for that. There will never be another Vic Jones.’”
[Southwark News October 29 1998]
“The people of Rotherhithe lost one of their most dedicated councillors when Vic Jones died on Thursday, October 15.
I was privileged not only to be one of Vic’s colleagues …, but I was happy to have called him a friend for over ten years.
Vic was second to none in his knowledge of the council and worked harder for the community than anyone I have ever known. It would have been so easy to retire when he was first diagnosed with Leukaemia.
His courage and dedication to the community he served so well should be an example to all. So put your feet up now Vic, and take the rest you so greatly deserve.”
[Cllr. Jackie Bassom, Southwark Town Hall, Southwark News October 29 1998]
Vic would be the very last person who would wish something like this article to finish on a downbeat, therefore, we should reflect on his indomitable spirit. In those last years at times one needed to remind oneself of the gravity of his situation as his demeanour appeared to show someone who was enjoying life. A good example of this was in August of 1992 at the wedding of Halina and Laurent. A sizeable contingent of the family and friends drove, in a hired coach, to Poitiers for a long weekend. The size of the English contingent made it possible for an ‘international’ football game to be played between a French team and an English one on the morning of the day after the ceremony and the main celebrations. Vic, who among his many talents, had at one time done some football coaching, elected himself as the referee. Impartiality is a keystone to this position, a fact with which Vic was aware, but it appeared that for that particular game he felt that the ‘Im’ part of the word was something of an irrelevance and could, for that occasion at least, be held in abeyance. His idiosyncratic and humorous handling of the match was a joy to behold and was totally responsible for the success of a wonderful game; despite all odds it was won by the French. What most people didn’t know was that not only did he have leukaemia but that he was running and clowning about despite the fact that he had broken a couple of ribs a few days before that game. That was Vic, always irrepressible, the life and soul of any gathering
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