13 Facts About Jim Thorn

James Thorn was a New Zealand politician and trade unionist.

Jim Thorn was an organiser and candidate for the Independent Political Labour League, Social Democratic Party then the Labour Party.

Jim Thorn was born in Christchurch, educated at Christchurch Boys' High School.

Jim Thorn worked in the Addington Railway Workshops and as a journalist.

Jim Thorn was a bugler in the third New Zealand Contingent to the Boer War in 1900 and 1901; the experience turned him into a pacifist.

Jim Thorn was engaged in trade union and party activity, including 1909 to 1913 in England and Scotland.

Jim Thorn unsuccessfully stood for the Independent Political Labour League in the Christchurch South electorate in the 1905 and 1908 election.

Jim Thorn met his future wife while living in Palmerston North; Margaret Anderson, 15 years his junior, who had joined the Social Democratic Party with her father.

Jim Thorn was president of the Labour Party, and vice-president at various times, and national secretary.

Jim Thorn unsuccessfully stood in the Otaki electorate in the 1931 election.

Jim Thorn represented the electorate of Thames from 1935 to 1946, when the seat was abolished.

From 1943 to 1946 Jim Thorn was Under-Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Jim Thorn died in 1956 and his ashes were buried at Karori Cemetery, Wellington.