This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-49880407

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Black History Month: First black magistrate Eric Irons honoured Black History Month: First black magistrate Eric Irons honoured
(about 3 hours later)
A plaque is to be unveiled to commemorate the life of Britain's first black magistrate. A plaque has been unveiled to commemorate the life of Britain's first black magistrate.
Eric Irons was born in Jamaica in 1921 and then settled in Nottingham following RAF service in World War Two.Eric Irons was born in Jamaica in 1921 and then settled in Nottingham following RAF service in World War Two.
Mr Irons, who died in 2007, was a campaigner for social justice, became the country's first black justice of the peace in 1962 and was made an OBE.Mr Irons, who died in 2007, was a campaigner for social justice, became the country's first black justice of the peace in 1962 and was made an OBE.
A ceremony on the first day of Black History Month will mark the unveiling at the National Justice Museum. A ceremony on the first day of Black History Month marked the unveiling at the National Justice Museum.
Mr Irons's sons Adrian and Paul said he devoted his whole life to "serving people of all colours, religion, age and the whole community". Mr Irons's sons Adrian and Paul said he had devoted his whole life to "serving people of all colours, religion, age and the whole community".
"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," 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," they said.
Mr Irons met his wife in Nottingham after World War Two and they went on to have six children and 16 grandchildren. Mr Irons met his wife in Nottingham after the war and they went on to have six children and 16 grandchildren.
During the 1950s, while working at Chilwell Ordnance Depot, an Army base, he campaigned for better employment opportunities, health and education for black workers.During the 1950s, while working at Chilwell Ordnance Depot, an Army base, he campaigned for better employment opportunities, health and education for black workers.
The museum said he was also instrumental in lifting a ban on black people working for a transport company and helped the city council address issues following the 1958 race riots in the St Ann's area of Nottingham.The museum said he was also instrumental in lifting a ban on black people working for a transport company and helped the city council address issues following the 1958 race riots in the St Ann's area of Nottingham.
After making history as the first black magistrate in 1962 he was later made an OBE in 1977 and continued to oversee court cases until he retired in 1991.After making history as the first black magistrate in 1962 he was later made an OBE in 1977 and continued to oversee court cases until he retired in 1991.
The city council said the plaque, due to be unveiled at 12:30 BST, would act as a permanent reminder of his legacy. The city council said the plaque would act as a permanent reminder of his legacy.
In February, he was honoured in a "Rebel City" display at a Nottingham Forest match for his fight for racial equality in the city.In February, he was honoured in a "Rebel City" display at a Nottingham Forest match for his fight for racial equality in the city.
Forza Garibaldi, a fan-led campaign, featured him on one of seven giant banners along with former manager Brian Clough, Robin Hood, writers DH Lawrence and Alan Sillitoe, suffragette Helen Watts and Ned Ludd, the figurehead of the Luddite movement.Forza Garibaldi, a fan-led campaign, featured him on one of seven giant banners along with former manager Brian Clough, Robin Hood, writers DH Lawrence and Alan Sillitoe, suffragette Helen Watts and Ned Ludd, the figurehead of the Luddite movement.
Matt Oldroyd, from the group, said Mr Irons was a "hero of a man" and it was fantastic he had been recognised with the plaque.Matt Oldroyd, from the group, said Mr Irons was a "hero of a man" and it was fantastic he had been recognised with the plaque.
Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.