People Australia

David Watkins, by Alexander Collingridge, 1938

Newcastle Libraries, 54579

Watkins, David Oliver (1896-1971) woolclasser, trade unionist and parliamentarian

Birth: 10 July 1896 at Wallsend, Newcastle New South Wales, third son of eight children of native-born David Watkins (1865-1935), miner and politician, and Marian Alice, née Arthur (1867-1933), born at Rotherham, Yorkshire, West Riding, England. Marriage: 1922 at Hamilton, Newcastle to Flora McKinnon Findlay Snedden (1898-1970), born at Denny, Stirlingshire, Scotland. They had two daughters. Death: 17 December 1971 in hospital at Belmont, Lake Macquarie, NSW; usual residence. Religion: Anglican. 

• His father was Australian Labor Party member for the seat of Wallsend in the NSW Legislative Assembly from 1894 to 1901 and for the seat of Newcastle in the Australian House of Representatives from 1901 to his death in 1935.
• Young David was educated at Cooks Hill Public School, Newcastle, NSW.
• Worked as a storeman in wool and steel industries. Was a member of the Ironworkers Union. Apprenticed at Marrickville Vicars Woollen Mills for twelve months.
• Having served in the 21st Infantry militia, was a woolclasser when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 22 September 1915. Joined 1st Australian Wireless Signal Squadron. Embarked for active service overseas on 5 February 1917. Was invalided to Australia, arriving back in February 1917.
• After his discharge from the AIF in Sydney on 2 July 1917, he worked as a clerk and storeman in the Newcastle district.
• Succeeded his father as Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives for the seat of Newcastle in a by-election on 1 June 1935, defeating a State Labor opponent, supported by J. T. Lang, and a Douglas Social Credit candidate. Deputy chairman Repatriation Committee 1942-1943; deputy chairman standing committee on broadcasting 1943-4199; member standing committee public works 1950-1959, chairman 1954-1958. Left parliament on 14 October 1958.
• After retirement he lived at Surfers Paradise, Qld and Valentine, NSW. Cause of death: cerebro-vascular accident (extension) (hours), cerebro-vascular accident (leading to left hemiplegia and bulbar palsy (1 month).

Sources
Joan Rydon (ed.), A biographical register of the Commonwealth Parliament 1901-1972 (ANU Press, 1975).