Born Whitchurch, Cardiff,
he began work at 13 on a farm and then as a collier's
assistant from the age of 14.
He became checkweigher at
Cymmer colliery until 1931 when he became unemployed
and played a key role in organising the National
Unemployed Workers Movement.
Paynter also joined the Communist
party during this time and remained a lifelong
member.
In 1937 he was selected as
representative of the International Brigade and
travelled out to Spain to serve with the British
battalion in the Spanish Civil War.
His trade unionist activities
continued and in 1939 he became miners' agent
for the Rhymney Valley.
He served as President of
the South Wales Area National Union of Mineworkers'
from 1951 to 1959 and General Secretary from 1959
to 1969.
