William Coaker
Encyclopedia
Sir William Ford Coaker (October 19, 1871 – October 26, 1938) was a Newfoundland union leader and politician and founder of the Fisherman's Protective Union and the Fishermen's Union Trading Co.
Coaker was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and educated at Bishop Feild College
. After graduating he worked as an agent for a fish merchant before becoming a farmer in Green Bay.
He organized the first local of the FPU co-operative in 1908 and led it as it expanded into a multifaceted interest involved in trading, publishing, light and power, shipbuilidng, shipping and cold storage.
He took the FPU into politics in 1912 and Coaker was elected to the Newfoundland House of Assembly in the 1913 general election
where he remained until 1924. He served in cabinet during World War I
and from 1919 until 1924 when he was minister of marine and fisheries. .
In 1923, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
. In 1999, a novel loosely based on his life was written by Gordon Rodgers
.
There is both a poem and song written referencing Coaker. The original anthem of the Fishers Protective Union was titled "We are coming Mr. Coaker, and we're 40 thousand strong". This anthem was sang or chanted at FPU meetings to show support for Coaker and his movement to unite the fishermen. There is also a poem titled "Coaker's Dream".
The former high school on New World Island
, Coaker Academy, was named after Coaker. The school located in Virgin Arm, Newfoundland was closed in 2005 in favor of the islands new school, New World Island Academy
, and has since been destroyed due to asbestos
.
Fishermen's Union Trading Co.
The Fishermen's Union Trading Company , a limited liability company, was founded in 1911 to be the commercial arm of the Fishermen's Protective Union...
Coaker was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and educated at Bishop Feild College
Bishop Feild College
Bishop Feild College , founded in 1844, is a school in St. John's, Newfoundland...
. After graduating he worked as an agent for a fish merchant before becoming a farmer in Green Bay.
He organized the first local of the FPU co-operative in 1908 and led it as it expanded into a multifaceted interest involved in trading, publishing, light and power, shipbuilidng, shipping and cold storage.
He took the FPU into politics in 1912 and Coaker was elected to the Newfoundland House of Assembly in the 1913 general election
Newfoundland general election, 1913
The 24th Newfoundland general election was held on 30 October 1913 to elect members of the 23rd General Assembly of Newfoundland in the Dominion of Newfoundland. The Liberal party led by Robert Bond formed a coalition with the Fishermen's Protective Union led by William Coaker...
where he remained until 1924. He served in cabinet during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and from 1919 until 1924 when he was minister of marine and fisheries. .
In 1923, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
. In 1999, a novel loosely based on his life was written by Gordon Rodgers
Gordon Rodgers
Gordon Rodgers is a Canadian writer. Rodgers is the author of two books of poetry: Floating Houses , and The Pyrate Latitudes , as well as a novella entitled The Phoenix . In 1999, he released his first novel, A Settlement of Memory, which is loosely based on the life of William Coaker...
.
There is both a poem and song written referencing Coaker. The original anthem of the Fishers Protective Union was titled "We are coming Mr. Coaker, and we're 40 thousand strong". This anthem was sang or chanted at FPU meetings to show support for Coaker and his movement to unite the fishermen. There is also a poem titled "Coaker's Dream".
The former high school on New World Island
New World Island
New World Island is an island in Notre Dame Bay, just off the coast of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.The island is connected to Newfoundland by a causeway. The prominent communities on the island are Summerford, Virgin Arm, Hillgrade, Newville, Cobb's Arm and...
, Coaker Academy, was named after Coaker. The school located in Virgin Arm, Newfoundland was closed in 2005 in favor of the islands new school, New World Island Academy
New World Island Academy
New World Island Academy is a K-12 school in Summerford, New World Island, Newfoundland, Canada. It operates under the Nova Central School District and serves all towns on New World Island, including Summerford, Virgin Arm, Hillgrade, Cobb's Arm, Newville, Herring Neck and others. Current...
, and has since been destroyed due to asbestos
Asbestos
Asbestos is a set of six naturally occurring silicate minerals used commercially for their desirable physical properties. They all have in common their eponymous, asbestiform habit: long, thin fibrous crystals...
.
External links
- Heritage Newfoundland
- Government of Canada, Newfoundland and the Great War, Who's Who in Newfoundland, Sir William Coaker
- The Rise of the Fishermen's Protective Union, the First World War and the National Government, 1908-1919
- Select Bibliography of Sir William Ford Coaker, the Fishermen's Protective Union (FPU)
- Poem "Coaker's Dream"
- Song "We Are Coming Mr. Coaker"
- Sir William Ford Coaker