Looking Back history feature: Australian Nationality and Mrs Hunter

Sergeant Norman H. Hunter

Lieutenant Reginald Hunter

WHILE staying for a holiday at Thirroul in 1917, Ena Hunter, of Sydney, attended a local political meeting to rally support for Labor candidate Billy Davies, for the coming state election.

The mother of two, who had lost a 19-year-old son, Sergeant Norman H. Hunter fighting in France during 1915, was furious when a supporter of Davies commented that Australians had no nationality.

HUNTER.- Killed in action, August 24 to 25 at the Dardanelles. Sergeant Norman H. Hunter, 18th Battalion, aged 19 years. Inserted by his devoted and sorrowing mother, 71 Union Street, Paddington.

– Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 6 October 1915.

Mrs Hunter, who was staying at the Bulli Pass Hotel, wrote the following letter to the editor of the South Coast Times on Friday 30 March 1917 complaining about T. H. Marshall’s comments that Australians had no nationality.

Australian Nationality
(To…