Colin Elly Begg

Brief description

PER-39

Full description

Colin Elly Begg was born at Sydney on 31 January 1917, the son of Colin Erle Begg and his wife Zadi Bertha nee Joseph. He was educated at Sydney Church of England Grammar School and the University of Sydney (LLB 1939). (1)

Begg was admitted as a solicitor on 15 February 1940 and was employed by the firm of John Corcoran and Company at 2 York Street, Sydney. Following his service in the Australian Army, he was admitted to the New South Wales Bar on 28 June 1946, setting up his practice at 142 Phillip Street. He had a varied and extensive practice, especially in the Common Law jurisdiction. He was made a Queen's Counsel in 1958. (2)

Begg enlisted in the Australian Army on 15 July 1942, after serving with the militia from 1940. At the time of his discharge on 22 November 1945, he was a Lieutenant with the 2/1st Australian Infantry Battalion. He was Mentioned in Despatches, recommended by the Governor-General on 16 November 1945, for distinguished services in the South-west Pacific Area. (3)

Begg was appointed a Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council on 15 September 1955 to fill a casual vacancy. His term ended on 22 April 1961. He was a member of the United Australia Party, and later the Liberal Party, serving in various party offices. He was Secretary of the Cremorne Branch, president of the Pymble Branch, president of the Gordon state electorate conference, vice-president of the Bradfield federal electorate conference, and state councillor from 1946 to 1954. He was also Australian chairman of the World Liberal Union in 1949. (4)

Begg was appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 3 April 1964. On 28 September 1983 he was appointed the Chief Judge at Common Law. He died in office. Begg was the Supreme Court's representative, and Chairman, of the University of Sydney Law Extension Committee from 1966 to 1984. (5)

Begg died on 9 September 1984 at Sydney, following a long illness. He was survived by his second wife Eve nee Langford, whom he married in February 1977, and three sons and two daughters from his first marriage to Ruth nee Lehmkull, whom he married on 17 November 1943. (6)

Endnotes
1.Who's Who in Australia, Melbourne, The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd, 1959, p.81; 1962, p.76; 1965, pp.82-3; 1968, p.84; 1971, p.92; 1974, p.96; 1977, p.98; 1980, p.94; 1983, p.94; Australian Law Journal, Vol.58, p.681, November 1984; University of Sydney Calendar, 1935, p.780; 1936, pp.562, 817; 1937, pp.451, 686; 1938, pp.469, 710; 1939, pp.486, 607; 1940, p.581, http://calendararchive.usyd.edu.au/index.php (cited 27 May 2008).
2. Barrister and Solicitors Admission Boards; NRS 13667, Roll of Solicitors, 18 February 1937 - 25 July 1952; Reel 2147, p.10; Barrister and Solicitors Admission Boards; NRS 13665, Roll of Barristers, 17 February 1927 - 10 June 1955; Reel 2147, p.23; New South Wales Law Almanac, Sydney, NSW Government Printer, 1942, p.82; 1950, p.62; Australian Law Journal, Vol.58, p.64, January 1984; Who's Who in Australia, op.cit.
3. 'Mr Colin Elly Begg [Former Member]', New South Wales Parliament website http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/members.nsf/V3ListFormerMembers (cited 31 July 2008); 'Begg, Colin Elly', Department of Veterans Affairs World War 2 Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=A&VeteranID=214838 (cited 31 July 2008); 'Honours and Awards (Index to Recommendations ...) Recommendation for Colin Elly Begg to be awarded a Mention in Dispatches', Australian War Memorial, http://www.awm.gov.au/honours/awm192/person.asp?p=003090535 (cited 31 July 2008).
4. 'Mr Colin Elly Begg [Former Member]', New South Wales Parliament website, op.cit.; Who's Who in Australia, op.cit.
5. State Reports New South Wales, Sydney, Law Book Company Ltd, Vol.64 (1963-64), p.v; New South Wales Law Reports, Sydney, Law Book Company Ltd, 1983, Vol.3, p.ix; 1984, Vol.3, p.ix; Australian Law Journal, Vol.58, p.64, January 1984; University of Sydney Calendar, 1966, p.33; 1982, p.27, 1983, p.27; 1984, p.26, op.cit., cited 1 August 2008.
6. Australian Law Journal, Vol.58, p.681, November 1984; Who's Who in Australia, op.cit.

Notes

Judge, Supreme Court of New South Wales, 03/04/1964 - 09/09/1984
Chief Judge at Common Law, Supreme Court of New South Wales, 28/09/1983 - 09/09/1984