Jim Knox

Walter James Knox (6 March 1919 – 1 December 1991) was a leading New Zealand trade union leader. He was the seventh appointee to the Order of New Zealand.

Early life and family Knox was born in Auckland on 6 March 1919. His parents were Doris May and Walter William Knox. Knox was educated at Auckland Normal School .

Career and honours Leaving school aged 15, Knox first worked in a foundry where he was badly scarred. Aged 16, he started an apprenticeship in the footwear trade upon his father's initiative.

In 1977, Knox was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal. On 6 February 1988, he was the seventh appointee to the Order of New Zealand. In 1990, he received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.

Personal life Knox played rugby union for the Suburbs club in Auckland before switching codes and playing rugby league for the City Rovers in the Auckland Rugby League competition. His sports injuries made him unfit for war service during World War II.

Knox was married twice, first to Margaret Joyce Svendsen in 1943, they had two children and a long marriage, then to Elizabeth Watson Bell Curtis (née Norrie) in 1983.