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Richard Henry (Dick) James (1909–1963)

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Richard Henry (Dick) James (1909-1963) coalminer, soccer player and trade union official

Birth: 14 January 1909 at Ipswich, Queensland, son of William John James (1877-1944), a coal miner, born in Devonshire, England, and Elizabeth Margaret, née Dee (1872-1955), born at Gympie, Queensland. Marriage: 20 November 1936 at North Ipswich to native-born Elsie Isabell Morgan (1909-1963). They had three sons. Death: 3 May 1963 in the general hospital at Ipswich. Religion: Catholic. 

  • Coalminer at Aberdare No.6 mine, Queensland.
  • Outstanding soccer player, representing Queensland and Australia. Later a noted referee.
  • Vice-president of Queensland Colliery Employees' Union (QCEU) at time of 1949 coal strike. Elected QCEU assistant-secretary and treasurer in 1951, retaining the position until death.
  • Cause of death: myocardial infarct (30 hours), and coronary atheroma (5 years).

Sources
Pete Thomas, The coalminers of Queensland: a narrative history of the Queensland Colliery Employees Union. Volume 1 Creating the traditions (Ipswich, 1986).

Additional Resources and Scholarship

Citation details

'James, Richard Henry (Dick) (1909–1963)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/james-richard-henry-dick-34671/text43616, accessed 27 April 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

14 January, 1909
Ipswich, Queensland, Australia

Death

3 May, 1963 (aged 54)
Ipswich, Queensland, 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.

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.

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