John Allen Beckwith (1863–1926)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2022
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).
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- is knocked down by a car, Age (Melbourne), 24 December 1926, p 8
- inquest, Herald (Melbourne), 7 January 1927, p 6
- death notice, Australasian (Melbourne), 1 January 1927, p 71
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Strong, Charles (pastor)
Citation details
'Beckwith, John Allen (1863–1926)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/beckwith-john-allen-32276/text39953, accessed 1 June 2025.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
1863
London,
Middlesex,
England
Death
21 December,
1926
(aged ~ 63)
Melbourne,
Victoria,
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.