Onions became the secretary of the Monmouth District of the Monmouthshire and South Wales District Miners' Association in 1888, serving until 1898, when it became part of the South Wales Miners' Federation (SWMF). His peers selected him to represent all the miners of South Wales at the International Miners' Conference in Paris in 1891. He was later the first treasurer of the SWMF.[1][2]
^ abcStenton, Michael; Lees, Stephen (1979). Who's Who of British Members of Parliament. Vol. III. Brighton: Harvester Press. p. 271. ISBN0855273259.
^Wearmouth, Robert F. (1959). Methodism and the Trade Unions. London: Epworth Press. pp. 46–47.
Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918-1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN0-900178-06-X.