People Australia

Frank Rowe, 1927

Fremantle Library, WA, 69233

Francis James (Frank) Rowe (1860-1939) wharf laborer, trade union official, parliamentarian and clerk

Birth: 22 September 1860 at Richmond, Victoria, son of Francis Rowe (1831-1910), mason, and his first wife Susan Ann, née Stephens (1841-1867). Both parents had been born in Cornwall, England. Marriage: 24 May 1887 at Hiawatha, East Melbourne, with Presbyterian forms to Rose Kaveney (1866-1934). They had no children. Widowed 29 May 1934. Death: 23 October 1939 at Fremantle Hospital, Fremantle, Western Australia. Religion: Anglican. 

• After the death of his mother when Frank was aged six, his father remarried and had eight more children.
• Worked as a mason in 1887 and lived in Richmond, Victoria. Played cricket for Richmond.
• Moved with his wife to Western Australia in 1900. Worked as wharf labourer at Fremantle.
• Elected secretary of the Wharf Labourers’ Union, Fremantle, from 1902 to 1927. Trustee of Fremantle Trades Hall in 1920.
• Elected Labor member of the WA Legislative Assembly for North-East Fremantle on 26 March 1927. After a redistribution was narrowly defeated for the seat on 12 April 1930.
• Official of Fremantle Labour Bureau after 1930.
• Was secretary and founder of Fremantle Citizens’ Ambulance in 1912 and treasurer 1929. A member of Fremantle Hospital Board for sixteen years. An executive officer of the Ugly Men’s Voluntary Workers’ Association, Fremantle branch. Foundation member of the Fremantle Workers’ Social and Leisure Club.
• Member of the Court Unity No 3254, Ancient Order of Foresters.
• Occupation on death certificate: clerk. Cause of death: coronary sclerosis.

Sources
David Black and Geoffrey Bolton, Biographical register of members of the Parliament of Western Australia, vol 1, 1870-1930, (Perth ,1900), p.172.