Robert Young (1858–1934)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2022
Robert Young, registered at birth as Walter Robert Young (1858-1934) coal miner, gaoled trade unionist
Birth: 16 June 1858 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, son of Robert Young, platelayer, and Mary Ann, née Lawrence. Marriage: (1) 27 January 1884 at Cheltenham to Sarah Ann Holland (1856-1901), weaver, later a grocer. They had one daughter and two sons. (2) 18 August 1902 in Melbourne, Victoria, to Mary, née Scherry, late Martin. They had four daughters and three sons. Death: 9 December 1934 at Kurri Kurri District Hospital, New South Wales. Religion: Anglican.
- Was a railway labourer, as then was his father, at Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, in 1871.
- Arrived in Victoria about 1890 apparently without any family. Known as Robert Young in Australia. Was a labourer at Outtrim in 1903. Moved to Murrurundi, NSW, about 1904 where he worked as a quarryman.
- Chairman of Pelaw-Main miners’ lodge, Kurri Kurri, in December 1909.
- 29 December 1909 his 7-month old daughter Elizabeth died at Kurri Kurri after lengthy illness.
- Convicted on 30 December 1909 with twelve others of having instigated a strike and was gaoled in February 1910 for 2 months after refusing to pay £100 fine imposed by Judge Charles Heydon. After six weeks in prison he was discharged from East Maitland Gaol on 4 April 1910.
- In 1919 represented Pelaw-Main lodge at welcome to Kurri Kurri of Anglican Bishop.
- Was a miners’ check weighman at Kurri Kurri in 1934.
- Died of septicaemia following abrasion of elbow.
Additional Resources
- court case against miners charged with inciting members to strike, Newcastle Morning Herald (NSW), 30 December 1909, pp 5-6
- is sent to gaol for two months for failing to pay 100 pds fine, Newcastle Morning Herald (NSW), 23 February 1910, p 5
- is released from gaol, Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 5 April 1910, p 9
- discusses his experiences in gaol, Newcastle Morning Herald (NSW), 5 April 1910, p 4
- funeral notice, Newcastle Morning Herald (NSW), 10 December 1934, p 9
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Frith, Thomas (colleague)
- Hanlon, Henry (colleague)
- Watson, Frederick William (colleague)
- Parkes, Edward (colleague)
- Williams, David (colleague)
- Neilly, George (colleague)
- Bowling, Peter (colleague)
- Rees, Daniel (colleague)
- Littlefair, William (colleague)
- Stenhouse, John Wilson (colleague)
- Rees, Benjamin (colleague)
- Heydon, Charles Gilbert (judge)
Citation details
Chris Cunneen, 'Young, Robert (1858–1934)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/young-robert-32424/text40213, accessed 2 May 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Young, Walter Robert
Birth
16 June,
1858
Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire,
England
Death
9 December,
1934
(aged 76)
Kurri Kurri,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.