People Australia

James Robson, n.d.

James Hutchins (Jim) Robson (1895-1975) miner, munitions worker, trade union official, alderman and parliamentarian

Birth: 23 September 1895 at Brandling, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England, son of George Robson (1869-1906), drayman, and Jane Ann, née Mackay. Marriage: 4 June 1917 at Killingworth, Tynemouth district, Northumberland, to Isabella Malone (1896-1987). They had one daughter and two sons. Death: 3 December 1975 at District Hospital, Lithgow, New South Wales; usual residence Willes Street, Lithgow. Religion: Catholic. 

• Both his parents died when he was aged 11; he was living with an uncle and working as a pony driver in a coal mine at Weetslade, Northumberland, in 1911.
• Served with Northumberland Fusiliers in World War I and won a Military Medal.
• Arrived in Australia with his family in 1927. Worked in a quarry near Lithgow and as a coal miner. Worked in small arms factory in 1941.
• Union delegate for Federated Ironworkers’ Association, becoming vice-president of its Western Districts branch.
• Jim was a close friend and confidant of Ben Chifley’s and his campaign director for nine years.
• Joined the Australian Labor Party in 1927. He was president of Macquarie district electorate council of the ALP. Elected to Lithgow City Council in 1947, he remained an alderman until 1956, and was twice deputy mayor.
• On 3 March 1956 Robson was elected to NSW Legislative Assembly for the seat of Hartley, which he held until defeated on 31 March 1965.
• Member of the British Legion. Foundation member of the Wallerawang Returned Servicemen’s League. Life member of Lithgow Workmen's Club. Known for his regular greeting of 'fellow worker'.
• Cause of death: carcinoma of lung.

Sources
Labor News, December 1975-January 1976; Heather Radi, Peter Spearritt and Elizabeth Hinton (eds), Biographical Register of the NSW Parliament 1901-1970 (Canberra, 1979).