People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse People:

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

John Connor (1898–1978)

This article was published:

John Connor (1898-1978) seaman and trade union leader 

Birth: 1898 at Liverpool, Lancashire, England, in 1899 son of John Dunphy, sugar-house labourer, and Mary Jane, née Greaves. Marriage: details unknown, to Rita, They had one son and one daughter. Death: 27 May 1978 in hospital at Chermside, Queensland. 

  • To Australia, early 1930s, work as ‘Liverpool Fireman’ providing experience of harsh living conditions.
  • To North Queensland where active in unemployed struggles. Later prominent in labour agitation at Mt Isa. Forced from Mt Isa by victimisation to Brisbane where secured work as coal-burning fireman.
  • From 1949 to 1961 secretary of Brisbane Branch of Seamen’s Union of Australia.
  • Prominent in peace and internationalist campaigns, assisting Chinese seamen on Gallic, British seamen on Afric, and visiting USSR.
  • Cause of death: chest infection, bronchitis and emphysema and carcinoma of the oesophagus.

Sources
Seamen’s Journal, January 1961, June 1978.

Citation details

'Connor, John (1898–1978)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/connor-john-33280/text41528, accessed 11 October 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1898
Liverpool, Lancashire, England

Death

27 May, 1978 (aged ~ 80)
Chermside, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Cause of Death

cancer (oesophageal)

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.

Occupation
Key Organisations