Labour Australia

Robert Young, registered at birth as Walter Robert Young (1858-1934) coal miner, gaoled trade unionist 

Birth: 16 June 1858 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, son of Robert Young, platelayer, and Mary Ann, née Lawrence. Marriage: (1) 27 January 1884 at Cheltenham to Sarah Ann Holland (1856-1901), weaver, later a grocer. They had one daughter and two sons. (2) 18 August 1902 in Melbourne, Victoria, to Mary, née Scherry, late Martin. They had four daughters and three sons. Death: 9 December 1934 at Kurri Kurri District Hospital, New South Wales. Religion: Anglican. 

• Was a railway labourer, as then was his father, at Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, in 1871.
• Arrived in Victoria about 1890 apparently without any family. Known as Robert Young in Australia. Was a labourer at Outtrim in 1903. Moved to Murrurundi, NSW, about 1904 where he worked as a quarryman.
• Chairman of Pelaw-Main miners’ lodge, Kurri Kurri, in December 1909.
• 29 December 1909 his 7-month old daughter Elizabeth died at Kurri Kurri after lengthy illness.
• Convicted on 30 December 1909 with twelve others of having instigated a strike and was gaoled in February 1910 for 2 months after refusing to pay £100 fine imposed by Judge Charles Heydon. After six weeks in prison he was discharged from East Maitland Gaol on 4 April 1910.
• In 1919 represented Pelaw-Main lodge at welcome to Kurri Kurri of Anglican Bishop.
• Was a miners’ check weighman at Kurri Kurri in 1934.
• Died of septicaemia following abrasion of elbow.