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Harry William McDowell (1913–1979)

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Harry William James McDowell (1913-1979) labourer and trade union official

Birth: 5 January 1913 at Alberton, South Australia, son of native-born parents Harry Bruce McDowell (1890-1943), plasterer, and his first wife Amy Maud Pocock (1894-1965). Marriage: 31 August 1933 to Phyllis Jean Murphy (1916-1986). They had two sons. Death: 24 March 1979 at Port Adelaide; usual residence Liberty Grove Woodville Gardens. 

  • His father sued for dissolution of his marriage in 1919 and was granted a decree absolute in 1927.
  • Joined Waterside Workers’ Federation (WWF) in 1941. Member of the branch executive about 1944. Vigilance officer 1949.
  • Secretary of the Port Adelaide branch of WWF from 1956 to 1962 and from 1970 to 1977; Federal councillor, Port Adelaide, in 1952-1956 and 1970-1977. Junior vice-president 1955-1956; senior vice-president 1973-1976.
  • All Ports Conference delegate 1962 and 1967. President 1967-1970. General president 1976. Retired 1977.
  • Cause of death: massive haemorrhage from cancer larynx (15 minutes).

Sources
Maritime Worker, 8 November 1977, p 11, 17 April 1979, p 21.

Citation details

'McDowell, Harry William (1913–1979)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/mcdowell-harry-william-34367/text43130, accessed 15 October 2024.

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