People Australia

Herbert Rowlands (1873-1919) carpenter and joiner, and trade union official 

Birth: 1873 at Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales, United Kingdom, son of William Rowlands (1846-1927), gentleman farmer, and Elizabeth, née Lewis (1854-1894). Marriage: 4 March 1899 at St Bridget’s Anglican Church, Wavertree, Lancashire, England, to Emmeline Hamilton (Millie) Robinson (1880-1968), born at Clitheroe, Lancashire. They had three daughters and one son. Death: 24 February 1919 in his residence at Illawarra Road, Marrickville, Sydney, New South Wales. Religion: Anglican. 

• In 1897 joined the Llanelly branch of the Carpenters and Joiners Union, Liverpool, England, which was the counterpart of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners (ASC&J). Became president of the union in Liverpool.
• Transferred to the Wavertree Branch near Liverpool and became president and later secretary for two-and-a-half years. Elected on the Liverpool managing committtee, 1907-1908. Delegate to Liverpool Trades and Labour Council in 1906-1909.
• In 1911 census [2 April] was a house carpenter living with his family at Loughor, Carmarthenshire, Wales.
• Arrived in Australia probably later in 1911. Represented ASC&J on Labour Representation Committee [by 1913]. Member of Sydney managing committee and was treasurer and chairman; secretary of Sydney 1st branch.
  
• Appointed by the Australian Executive Board as an auditor in 1916 and acted as auditor to management committee and branch accounts.
• Suffered a long illness before his death. Cause of death: septic endocarditis (18 months) and exhaustion.

Sources
ASC&J Monthly Report, June 1917, March 1919, p 12.