Eric Irons OBE, Britain’s first black magistrate and a popular campaigner for social justice and worker’s rights in Nottingham’s black community, will be honoured on Tuesday with a plaque at the National Justice Museum.
The celebration of Irons’ life and achievements, set to take place on the first day of Black History Month, is supported by the Nottingham City Council, Nottingham Civic Society, the National Justice Museum and Nottingham Together.
In a joint statement, Irons’ sons described the commemoration as “a wonderful way to secure the legacy” of their father.
″(He was) A man who devoted his whole life to serving people of all colours, religion, age and the whole community,” they said.
“In so doing, not only was he a remarkable role model to his family, but his selfless and courageous work helped to ensure we have a more equitable understanding and tolerant society that benefits us all.”
Born in Spanish Town, Jamaica in 1921, Irons migrated to the UK when he served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, before settling in Nottingham with his wife, who he met in the city. They went on to have six children and 16 grandchildren.
During the 1950s, Irons, who was working at the Chilwell Ordnance Depot, become an important local community figure, campaigning for better employment opportunities, health and education for black workers through the Nottingham and District Trades Council and community and church groups.
Among his many achievements, he campaigned to lift a ban on black people working for a transport company and helped Nottingham City Council address problems highlighted following the 1958 Race Riots.
Irons made history in 1962 when he became Britain’s very first black magistrate. As a champion for social justice, Irons was also awarded an OBE in 1977 and continued to serve on the bench in Nottingham for 29 years until retiring in 1991. Irons died in August 2007 having paved the way for equality in the city.
Bev Baker, senior curator and archivist at the National Justice Museum, said: “We are incredibly honoured to be marking and celebrating the contribution that Eric Irons made to the justice system in Nottingham and his dedication as a campaigner for social justice.
“It’s also fitting that this celebration is taking place on the first day of Black History Month, as it is vitally important to champion diversity in our city and diversity within our justice system.”
“The family is understandably very proud of him,” Irons’ sons said, “and it is reassuring and comforting to know that Nottingham City is too”.