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Australian political reformer (1867–1943) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Elizabeth Britomarte James OBE JP (1 June 1867 – 6 November 1943), also known as Mrs Britomarte James, was an Australian political reformer, women's activist and temperance advocate.
Elizabeth Britomarte James OBE, JP | |
---|---|
Born | Durban Lead, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia | 1 June 1867
Died | 6 November 1943 76) Auburn, Victoria, Australia | (aged
Resting place | Springvale Cemetery |
Other names | Mrs Britomarte James |
Known for | Australian political reformer, women's activist and temperance advocate |
Born on the Victorian goldfields at Durban Lead, Ballarat, Victoria, James was the eldest child of Ebenezer James and Clara Elizabeth James (née Maisey).[1] The family moved to Port Melbourne where James assisted her father in his work as chaplain at the Mission to Seaman.[2]
James married her cousin, George Henry James on 25 May 1889 at her parents' home in Port Melbourne.[3] He was a schoolteacher with the Victorian Department of Education.[4]
Both her sons enlisted in World War I and were injured. James travelled to England to assist their recovery. Subsequently, they enlisted in the Flying Corps and, rather than returning to Australia, she volunteered with the Red Cross.[2] She was later put in charge of a unit of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in France.[1]
After the war she formed the Ex-Service Woman's Association and was its president for a number of years.[5] In 1922 she was president of both the Metropolitan branch of the Farmers' Union and the Wattle League.[6] She was also a leading member of the Victorian Women Citizens' Movement and the Victorian branch of the National Council of Women.[5]
James stood unsuccessfully for election to the Council of South Melbourne in 1927.[5]
In 1934, James called a meeting at the Lyceum Club in March 1934 at which she proposed the formation of a Centenary Club, being a place to welcome visitors to Melbourne.[7]
In the 1938 Birthday Honours, James was made an Officer of the Order of British Empire[8] for "social welfare services in the State of Victoria".[9]
James died at Kareela Private Hospital, Auburn, Victoria on 6 November 1943.[1] She was survived by her two sons, Cecil Holman James and George Ronald James.[10] Her husband had predeceased her in September 1938.[4] She is buried in Springvale Cemetery, Springvale, Victoria.[11][12]
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