About John William Roberts
Lived 1885 – 1962 (aged 76–77). John William Roberts was a New Zealand trade unionist.
John William Roberts (3 September 1885 – 12 June 1962) was a New Zealand clothing worker, trade unionist and political activist. He was born in Holbeck, Yorkshire, England in 1885.
A conscientious objector in World War I, Roberts was deprived of civil liberties for ten years, and was unable to return to politics after the war, so joined the trade union movement instead, serving across a range of unions. In the buildup to and during World War II, he actively campaigned against conscription, unlike other World War I conscientious-objectors-cum-labour-supporters such as Peter Fraser.
He was elected to the Woolston Borough Council in 1917 as a Labour Party candidate.
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Important facts
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Frequently asked questions
Who was John William Roberts?
Clothing worker, trade unionist, political activist
When was John William Roberts born?
John William Roberts was born in 1885.
When did John William Roberts die?
John William Roberts died on 12 June 1962.
What was John William Roberts's occupation?
John William Roberts was a trade unionist.
What nationality was John William Roberts?
John William Roberts was New Zealand.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: John William Roberts
· DBpedia: Jack Roberts (unionist)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John William Roberts. https://biography.guide/john-william-roberts/
MLA: "John William Roberts." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-william-roberts/.
Chicago: "John William Roberts." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-william-roberts/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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