Norman Laurence Brown (1900–1929)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2022
This entry is from People Australia
Norman Laurence Brown (1900-1929) mine winch driver shot by police
Birth: 17 August 1900 in Annandale, Sydney, son of New Zealand-born Laura Ellen Brown. Stepson of Albert George Kidd, farmhand, of Greta, NSW. Unmarried. Death: 16 December 1929 in Maitland District Hospital, NSW. Religion: Anglican.
- Employed at New Greta colliery. Described as being “of a very quiet, unassuming disposition”, actively interested in sport.
- Fatally wounded by police gunfire whilst observing a mass demonstration against the use of scab labour at Rothbury mine on 16 December 1929. His funeral was attended by a crowd of at least 7,000.
- The coroner found that the police acted “with forbearance and restraint”.
Sources
Edgar Ross, A history of the Miners' Federation of Australia ([Sydney] 1970); information from E. Ross, 1990.
Original Publication
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- funeral, Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW), 18 December 1929, p 6
- coroner finds that Brown was accidentally shot, Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW), 17 February 1930, p 2
- coroner's statement, Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW), 17 February 1930, p 2
- a monument in his memory is to be officially unveiled in the Greta cemetery on 16 December; the first anniversary of his death, Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW), 10 December 1930, p 10
- there will be a mass demonstration on the northern coalfields on 16 December to honour Brown, Labor Daily (Sydney), 10 December 1930, p 6
- photo of the unveiling of the memorial, Labor Daily (Sydney), 17 December 1930, p 6
- about 2500 people attended the commemoration, Sydney Morning Herald, 17 December 1930, p 13
- about 5000 people attended the commemoration, Labor Daily (Sydney), 17 December 1930, p 6
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Aubin, Edward (colleague)
- Grant, George William (colleague)
Citation details
'Brown, Norman Laurence (1900–1929)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://labouraustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/brown-norman-laurence-32418/text40207, accessed 18 March 2025.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
17 August,
1900
Annandale, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Death
16 December,
1929
(aged 29)
Maitland,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
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.