Norman Child Graham

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Norman Child Graham
Born(1859-07-21)21 July 1859
Herne Hill, Surrey, England
Died22 April 1931(1931-04-22) (aged 71)
Compton, Guildford, England
Resting placeWoking Crematorium
EducationTonbridge School
Occupations
  • Businessperson
  • artist
  • activist
OrganizationHumane Slaughter of Animals Association
Spouse
Rose Ransome
​
(m. 1887)​

Norman Child Graham (21 July 1859 – 22 April 1931) was an English businessperson, artist, and animal welfare activist. He served as director of Ransomes & Rapier and later worked as a tea merchant and engineer. A watercolourist and member of the Ipswich Fine Art Club, he exhibited works in Merrow and Westminster. Graham co-founded the Humane Slaughter of Animals Association, serving as honorary secretary. He played a key role in its merger into the Council of Justice for Animals and the Humane Slaughter Association, becoming vice-chairman and remaining in the role until his death.

Biography

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Early and personal life

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Norman Child Graham was born at Herne Hill, Surrey, on 21 July 1859, the son of Christopher North Graham (1817–1889), a wholesale grocer, and Isabella (née McAndrew; 1825–1897).[1][2] He was baptised at St Giles' Church, Camberwell, and educated at Tonbridge School.[2]

Graham married Rose Ransome, daughter of Ipswich iron founder Robert James Ransome, at St Mary at Stoke on 1 June 1887.[2][3]

Graham resided at Priors Wood in Compton, Guildford. He purchased the wood from William Wotton in 1920.[4]

Career

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In the 1890s Graham lived in London and was director of Ransomes & Rapier.[1][5] He and his brother Christopher were shareholders of the Public Benefit Boot Company.[6] He was a tea merchant in 1901 and was an engineer in general manufacturing in Hambledon, Surrey in 1911.[1]

Graham was a watercolourist and member of Ipswich Fine Art Club from 1898 to 1905. He exhibited his paintings at Merrow in 1898 and Westminster in 1900.[1]

Animal welfare

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Graham co-founded the Humane Slaughter of Animals Association in 1920.[7] He was honorary secretary of the organisation and promoted the use of more humane methods such as the captive bolt pistol for animal slaughter, in opposition to the poleaxe.[8][9][10] He commented that "the time will soon arrive when the use of the mechanical killer will be compulsory in the slaughter of all animals for food in this country".[11] The Association worked with the Council of Justice to Animals and amalgamated as the Council of Justice for Animals and the Humane Slaughter Association in 1928.[7] Graham was vice-chairman of the organisation until his death in 1931.[7]

Death

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Graham died at Priors Wood on 22 April 1931, aged 71.[1] His funeral service was held at Woking Crematorium.[12] In his will, he left £3000 to the Council of Justice to Animals, £2000 to the League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports and £3000 to the RSPCA payable on the condition that they campaign to prevent the hunting of wild animals.[13][14] He also left £500 each to the Animal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society, International League Against the Export of Horses for Butchery and the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor.[14]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Norman Child Graham". Suffolk Artists. 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Crisp, Frederick Arthur, ed. (1917). Visitation of England and Wales. Vol. 20. London: Privately printed. p. 112.
  3. ^ "Ransome, Rose". Suffolk Artists. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  4. ^ Boston, Cecilia (1933). The History of Compton in Surrey. European Art Publishing Company. p. 119.
  5. ^ The Directory of Directors. Thomas Skinner & Company. 1927. p. 616.
  6. ^ "Biographical Notes: Surnames E to H". The Public Benefit Boot Company. 2025. Archived from the original on 6 April 2025.
  7. ^ a b c "An Extraordinary Legacy: Norman Child Graham". Humane Slaughter Association. 2025. Archived from the original on 29 March 2025.
  8. ^ "Humane Slaughtering". The Mitcham Advertiser. 3 November 1922. p. 3.
  9. ^ "Humane Killer". The Mitcham Advertiser. 6 October 1922. p. 7.
  10. ^ "Humane Slaughter". Sheffield Daily Telegraph. 23 June 1927. p. 6.
  11. ^ "The Humane Killer". The Yorkshire Post. 19 April 1927. p. 3.
  12. ^ "Deaths". The Surrey Advertiser. p. 1.
  13. ^ "Anti-Hunting Bequest". The Manchester Evening News. 9 July 1931. p. 5.
  14. ^ a b "Surrey Wills". The Surrey Advertiser. 11 July 1931. p. 8.