Labour Australia

William Littlefair (1868-1953) miner, gaoled trade unionist 

Birth: 14 April 1868 at Stonehouse, Scotland, son of Joseph Littlefair, journeyman tailor, and Helen, née Barr. Marriage: 19 September 1892 in Merewether, Newcastle, New South Wales, with with Free Methodist forms, to Yorkshire-born Mary Jane Brown (1872-1952). They had two daughters and two sons. Death: 15 May 1953 at Adamstown, Newcastle, New South Wales. Religion: Methodist.

• Wheeler in coalmine, Scotland c.1878. Arrived in Australia 1888.
• Worked in Burwood mine, many mines around Newcastle and some around Maitland. Miners’ Federation delegate and participated in mineworkers strike led by Peter Bowling of 1909-1910 while working in the New Lambton colliery. Served prison term in Maitland jail in connection with strike and became undernourished.
• Angry that union didn’t keep its promise that they would pay the men 100 pounds on release, which was the amount they were initially fined in default of a gaol term. Presented with medal upon release, with 12 other union delegates and officials and made his views be known.
• Did not expect that he would he hired again after strike and gaol term, but was hired at Hebburn No. 1 colliery, owned by J & A Brown, near Maitland, and later at Aberdare Extended, near Maitland.
• Assisted in forming the first Labor League on the coalfields.
  
• Died of renal failure and arteriosclerosis.

Sources
Common Cause, Sept. 29 1951 p.5