Frederick George Myers

Brief description

PER-77

Full description

Frederick George Myers was born on 25 May 1902 at North Sydney, the son of Isidore/Isadore Myers and his wife Blanche Fenella nee Fowler. At the age of two he contracted polio. A contemporary barrister applauded his 'physical courage and powers of endurance' over his disability. He was educated at the University of Sydney (LLB 1924). He was awarded a Public Exhibition scholarship to the University based on his results from the Leaving Certificate exam of 1919. He was Treasurer of the University of Sydney Law Society in 1923/24. (1)

Myers was admitted to the New South Wales Bar on 27 August 1926 and his practice operated out of Chancery Chambers. He operated chiefly in equity and appellate courts. He became a King's Counsel in 1949. (2)

During World War II, Myers served with the Australian Army in the 7th Division. He enlisted on 8 August 1942 and was discharged with the rank of Major on 7 February 1945 from the Australian Army Legal Department. He walked the Kokoda Trail, despite the calliper on his leg and was wounded in the aerial battle for Lae. (3)

Myers was appointed an acting Judge of the Supreme Court on 9 April 1953 for six months. He was made a Puisne Judge of the Supreme Court on 9 October 1953. From 1955 to 1971 he was one of the Judges in Equity. He was also Judge in Probate from 1965 to 1971. He retired on 28 July 1971. (4)

Myers died at Bowral on 9 September 2001. He had married Dorothy Josephine Chapman on 14 November 1934. They had no children. She died on 22 May 1987. (5)

Endnotes
1. Who's Who in Australia, Melbourne, the Herald, 1955, p.570; 1959, p.591; 1962, p.628; 1968, p.640; 1971, p.704; NSW birth certificate 26069/1902 Frederick G M Myers; NSW marriage certificate 4702/1897, Isadore Myers and Blanche Fowler; John and Paul Myers, 'A life dedicated to the pursuit of truth and justice: Frederick George Myers: Judge, war veteran, 1902-2001', Sydney Morning Herald, 20 October 2001, p.65; 'Address: Supreme Court Judges' Dinner - Supreme Court : Lawlink NSW', address by Hon T E F Hughes, 2006, paragraph 32, http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/supreme_court/ll_sc.nsf/pages/SCO_tefhughes020206 (cited 2 July 2008); University of Sydney Calendar, 1922, pp.501, 660; 1923, pp.492; 817; 1925, p.653, 812, http://calendararchive.usyd.edu.au/index.php (cited 12 May 2008).
2. Barristers Admission Board; NRS 13665, Roll of Barristers, 1876-1926; Reel 2147, p.29; New South Wales Law Almanac for 1929, Sydney, NSW Government Printer, 1929, p.63; Australian Law Journal, Vol.26 (1952/53), p.650; Who's Who in Australia, 1955, Melbourne, The Herald, 1955, p.570.
3. 'Myers, Frederick George', Department of Veterans Affairs World War 2 Nominal Roll http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=A&VeteranID=2227175 (cited 28 May 2008); John and Paul Myers, 'A life dedicated to the pursuit of truth and justice: Frederick George Myers: Judge, war veteran, 1902-2001', op.cit.
4. State Reports New South Wales, Sydney, Law Book Company of Australasia Limited, Vol.53, p.iii; Vol.55, p.ii; Vol.56, p.ii; Vol.65, p.v; Vol.69, pp.vi-vii; Vol.70, p.vii; Australian Law Journal, Vol.27 (1953/54), p.380.
5. Sydney Morning Herald, death notice, 14 September 2001; Who's Who in Australia, op.cit.; Sydney Morning Herald, death notice for Dorothy Myers, 26 May 1987.

Notes

Acting Judge, Supreme Court of New South Wales, 09/04/1953 - 08/10/1953
Judge, Supreme Court of New South Wales, 09/10/1953 - 28/07/1971
Judge in Equity, Supreme Court of New South Wales, 01/01/1955 - 28/07/1971
Judge in Probate, Supreme Court of New South Wales, 01/01/1965 - 28/07/1971