The National Union of Mineworkers is saddened to announce the death, earlier, this week – after a long and courageous battle against cancer – of NUM militant, strike activist, victimised miner, author, socialist and prominent campaigner in the National Justice for Mineworkers Campaign, Ken Ambler.

Ken, who last worked at Wistow Colliery in the now shut-down Selby coalfield, was the only miner in the Selby coalfield to have been victimised in the Great Strike. His loss is a grievous one.

Ken’s funeral will take place at noon, on Thursday 26 November, at the East Riding Crematorium in Octon, near Driffield, East Yorkshire. [See: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/139492]

After the funeral, there will be a gathering to remember Ken and celebrate his life at a hotel in Bridlington. The details will be posted to you as soon as they are confirmed.

No flowers should be sent but donations in Ken‘s memory to the MacMillan Cancer Support charity would be greatly appreciated.

Ian Lavery, NUM President said: “Ken was an outstanding trade unionist and socialist who suffered greatly for his principles; he never gave in but worked tirelessly for the Justice for Mineworkers Campaign.  We have lost a man of enormous integrity and courage and his contribution will live long after those who victimised him so cruelly are long forgotten.”

Meanwhile our sincerest condolences go out to Ken’s family,