William Brace

William Brace (23 September 1865 – 12 October 1947) was a Welsh trade unionist and Liberal and Labour politician.

Early life and career Born in Risca, in the coal-mining district of Monmouthshire, he was one of six children of Thomas and Anne Brace. During the First World War he held the post of Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department in Lloyd George Coalition Government. He was made a Privy Counsellor in 1916. When the South Glamorganshire seat was abolished at the 1918 general election, he was elected unopposed to represent the new Abertillery seat, this time as Labour Party MP.

Later life He resigned from the House of Commons in 1920 in the wake of a bitter dispute within the miners' unions. Brace was criticised over his failure to support the "Datum Line" strike while he was equally critical of the "wild" union leaders who were determined to bring about conflict in the coalfields. He decided he could better serve the interests of the coal miners by taking up the position of Labour Advisor to the Ministry of Mines.

His brother George Brace borrowed money from him and other family members to form Brace's Bakery.

Brace married Nellie Humphreys in 1890. The couple had had two sons and a daughter. The younger son, Ivor Llewellyn Brace, became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Sarawak, North Borneo and Brunei.

William Brace died after a long illness at his home in Allt-yr-yn, Newport in October 1947 aged 82.