People Australia

John Allen Beckwith (1863-1926) butcher, trade union leader 

Birth: 26 September 1863 in Chelsea, London, England, son of William Sykes Beckwith, journeyman butcher, and Sarah Maria, née Herbert. Marriage: 18 January 1893 by Charles Strong at the Australian Church, Melbourne, Victoria, to Charlotte Ann Cooke. They had two sons and a daughter. Death: 21 December 1926 in Melbourne Hospital. 

• Migrated to Australia from London with brother, Bill, having left family butchery business. Worked passage to Australia as cook.
• Founder and first president, Victorian Amalgamated Butchers’ Union from 1890 to 1900.
• Founder of Anti-Sweating League, Victoria. Responsible for Wages Board system. One of six employees’ representatives on board whose determination regarding butchers came into operation on 1 January 1901.
• Sacked by employer for role in this labour legislation. Started own butcher’s shop in Toorak, then Fitzroy. Later bought out former employer’s premises in North Fitzroy.
• President, Master Butchers’ Association. Only man to have been president of both union and employers’ association.
• Died of head injuries after being struck down by a motor car.

Sources
A. E. Davies, The Meat Workers Unite (Melbourne, 1974).