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Henry Woods (1900–1972)

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Henry Woods (1900-1972) coalminer and trade union official

Birth: 13 March 1900 at Buttai, Minmi, Newcastle, New South Wales, son of native-born parents Thomas George (George) Woods (1860-1906), a coal miner who signed with a mark, and his second wife, Harriett Maria, née Burgess (1873-1946). Marriage: 25 March 1922 at West Wallsend, Newcastle, to native-born Lucy Mullen (1903-1972). They had one daughter and one son. Death: 16 February 1972 at Lakes Way, near Bungwahl, NSW; usual residence Church Street, Minmi, Newcastle, NSW. Religion: Anglican.

  • Woods worked as a coalminer at Minmi, Stockrington and Richmond Main collieries in Northern NSW.
  • From 1942 to 1950 he was central councillor of the Colliery Employees’ [Miners'] Federation.
  • During the 1949 coal strike, he was the federation's acting general vice president after members of the central executive were gaoled for 'contempt' for defying a court over the Federal Labor government's fund-freezing legislation.
  • He died in a car accident. Cause of death: subarachnoid haemorrhage and fatty heart degeneration (coroner’s report). 

Sources
Pete Thomas, Miners in the 1970s: a narrative history of the Miners’ Federation (Sydney [1983].

Citation details

'Woods, Henry (1900–1972)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/woods-henry-35156/text44364, accessed 5 September 2026.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

13 March, 1900
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Death

16 February, 1972 (aged 71)
Bungwahl, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

motor vehicle accident

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

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