John Northmore (judge)

Sir John Alfred Northmore KCMG (14 September 1865 – 15 May 1958) was a Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, which is the highest ranking court in the state of Western Australia. Northmore was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court in 1914 before being appointed Chief Justice in 1931. He retired in 1945 and died in 1958. He also served as Administrator of Western Australia from 1931 to 1933, fulfilling the functions of Governor after financial straits prevented a permanent successor to Governor Sir William Campion.

Sir
John Northmore
KCMG
Chief Justice of Western Australia
In office
1931–1945
Preceded bySir Robert McMillan
Succeeded bySir John Dwyer
Personal details
Born
John Alfred Northmore

(1865-09-14)14 September 1865
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
Died15 May 1958(1958-05-15) (aged 92)
Resting placeKarrakatta Cemetery
CitizenshipAustralian
SpouseEmily Agnes Ventris (née Culmer)
Parents
  • John Alfred Northmore (father)
  • Susan Northmore (née Churchill) (mother)
EducationSt Peter's College, Adelaide
Alma materUniversity of Adelaide
OccupationBarrister

Early life and education

Northmore was born on 14 September 1865 in Adelaide, South Australia. His parents were John Alfred Northmore and Susan Northmore (née Churchill). They were Quakers and were from the west of England. He was one of five children. He attended St Peter's College, Adelaide, and the University of Adelaide, graduating with a bachelor of law in 1887.[1][2]

Career

Northmore was called to the South Australian Bar in 1888. In 1896, he moved to Perth and was called to the Western Australia Bar on 15 September that year. He headed the legal practice Northmore, Lukin & Hale, later called Northmore, Hale, Davy & Leake. In c. 1911, he became a King's Counsel, and on 28 April 1914, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of Western Australia bench.[3] On 29 September 1931, he became the Chief Justice of Western Australia, following the death of Sir Robert McMillan in April 1931.[1][2][4]

When Sir William Campion resigned as Governor of Western Australia in June 1931, another governor was not appointed due to the state's financial issues. Northmore acted as Administrator from 9 June 1931, serving in place of the governor.[4][5] On 29 June 1932, he became Lieutenant-Governor,[1][6] which he served as until 10 July 1933, when he resigned due to Thomas Draper, senior puisne judge. Northmore was succeeded as Lieutenant-Governor by Sir James Mitchell. In 1945, Northmore retired as Supreme Court Justice.[1]

In June 1932, Northmore received the honour of Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.[6]

Within the University of Western Australia (UWA), Northmore was pro-chancellor from 1929 to 1930, member of the senate from 1930 to 1936, and chairman of its finance committee.[1]

Personal life

Northmore married Emily Agnes Ventris (née Culmer), on 6 March 1941 in a private Anglican chapel.[1][7] He was a member of the Weld Club and the Royal Perth Yacht Club. His wife died in 1957, and he died on 15 May 1958. He was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery.[1]

Legacy

Northmore Street in Daglish, Western Australia and Northmore Crescent in Winthrop, Western Australia were named after John Northmore, for his work at UWA. These suburbs were formerly UWA endowment land, and so a number of their streets were named after prominent people at UWA.[8][9]

References
  1. Birman, Wendy. "Northmore, Sir John Alfred (1865–1958)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  2. "Sir Join Northmore, K.C.M.G." The West Australian. 3 June 1932. p. 19. Retrieved 9 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "Supreme Court Judgeship". Kalgoorlie Miner. 29 April 1914. p. 4. Retrieved 9 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "New Chief Justice". The Daily News. 29 September 1931. p. 1. Retrieved 9 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Chief Justice". Western Mail. 1 October 1931. p. 21. Retrieved 9 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Lieutenant-Governor". The West Australian. 10 August 1932. p. 14. Retrieved 9 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "Sir John Northmore Married". Kalgoorlie Miner. 8 March 1941. p. 4. Retrieved 9 January 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "City of Subiaco Street Names" (PDF). City of Subiaco. July 2016. p. 42. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
  9. "City of Melville Suburb and Street History" (PDF). City of Melville. pp. 11, 82, 85. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 August 2008.
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