People Australia

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

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.

Walter (Watty) Doig (1900–1987)

This article was published:

Walter (‘Watty’) Doig (1900-1987), coalminer, and Communist activist 

Birth: 18 October 1900 in Slamannan, County of Stirling, Scotland, son of Walter Doig, master painter, and Susan, née Hale. Marriage: 1 September 1928 in South Richmond, Victoria, with Presbyterian forms, to Agnes McIlwain Smith. They had three sons and three daughters. Death: 15 July 1987 at Wonthaggi, Victoria. 

  • Was a coalminer in Scotland and involved in struggles during and immediately after First World War. Widely read and ‘truly a working class intellectual’.
  • Left Scotland for Australia in 1927. Worked in few small Victorian gold mines and as labourer, intending to return to Scotland. Arrival of Agnes Smith from Scotland preempted this plan.
  • Watty and Agnes were inseparable for 60 years, largely associated with Wonthaggi, Victoria, and ultimately with Agnes was subject of film Strikebound.
  • Communist Party of Australia member and organiser, coal miner and militant unionist but never sought union or political leadership positions. ‘Watty’s greatest skill was in inducing self-confidence in his fellow workers and comrades’.
  • Cause of death cardiac arrest, having suffered hypertension and cardiac failure for years.

Sources
Tribune
, 22 July 1987; Common Cause, 12 August 1987; information from E. Ross, 1990.

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Doig, Walter (Watty) (1900–1987)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/doig-walter-watty-32667/text40563, accessed 29 March 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

18 October, 1900
Slamannan, Stirlingshire, Scotland

Death

15 July, 1987 (aged 86)
Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

heart disease

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
Political Activism