Andrew Robert James Watt KC (c. 1872 – 8 December 1950), often referred to as A. J. Watt[1] was a barrister in Sydney, Australia..
History
editWatt was born in Newcastle, New South Wales, a son of Alexander Watt (10 May 1830 – 7 July 1904)
- Alexander Watt, a carpenter by trade, but better known as a publican, was born in Ireland and came to Australia with his parents at the age of three.[2]
He was educated at St. Joseph's College, Hunter's Hill, and graduated BA and LLB (with honours) from Sydney University, a Fellow of St John's College. He was called to the Bar in October, 1894,[3] and subsequently had a busy and varied practice, mostly concerned with industrial arbitration, appearing with J. L. Campbell, KC.[4]
He frequently appeared with Justice O'Connor and Sir William Cullen CJ, at the arbitration court before the tribunal of Mr Justice Cohen, W. D. Cruickshank (employers' representative), and Sam Smith (unionist).[4]
In November 1916 he was appointed District Court judge and chairman of Quarter Sessions for the north western circuit.[4]
He developed a reputation as an indominable fighter, tenaciously fighting for his client when all seemed lost.[5] While appearing before Justice Stephen and jury in a case between R. W. Miller and the AGL Company, he spoke for 71 hours, reckoned a record.[6]
He retired around 1948 and died at his home on Roker Street, Cronulla in 1950, aged 78.
Other interests
editFor many years he was vice-president of the Cronulla Surf Club.[7]
Family
editWatt had a brother, Bon Watt, and two sisters, Marie and May.[2]
Watt married Ellen Victoria ???? They had eight daughters:
- Ruth Watt married Dr Michael S. Veech on 17 February 1927
- Dodo Watt married John Francis "Frank" Irving on 18 September 1924
- Molly Watt married Bernard A. Hollingdale in 1937
- Helen Maude Watt (born c. 1902) married John Wigmore Drury on 26 April 1928. Their divorce three years later made the "scandal sheets".[1]
- Meg Watt
- Joan Watt married Michael "Mick" Meagher around 30 November 1928
- Patricia Watt married Eric M. Fisher
- Betty Watt married John Coote on 17 May 1941[8]
The family home was "Greystanes", Redmyre Road, Strathfield
References
edit- ^ a b "K.C.'s Pretty Daughter Calls Dad as Witness". Sydney Truth. No. 2246. New South Wales, Australia. 22 January 1933. p. 9. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b "Mr Alexander Watt, Newcastle". The Catholic Press. Vol. VIII, no. 448. New South Wales, Australia. 14 July 1904. p. 16. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "A Catholic Barrister Admitted". Freeman's Journal. Vol. XLV, no. 2643. New South Wales, Australia. 3 November 1894. p. 15. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ a b c "Another Acting Judge". The Daily Telegraph. No. 11696. New South Wales, Australia. 4 November 1916. p. 14. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Watt, K.C." The Sun (Sydney). No. 4712. New South Wales, Australia. 11 December 1925. p. 9. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ ""Words . . Words . . Words"". Labor Daily. No. 2607. New South Wales, Australia. 13 April 1932. p. 8. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "Mr Watt, K.C., Dies, Aged 78". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. XV, no. 223. New South Wales, Australia. 9 December 1950. p. 10. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ "On the Social Record". The Australian Women's Weekly. Vol. 8, no. 50. Australia, Australia. 17 May 1941. p. 35. Retrieved 16 September 2024 – via National Library of Australia. Meagher and Coote both from Cootamundra