Nelson was born in Botany, New South Wales, the son of Elizabeth Ann and John Nelson. His father was a Scottish-born shopkeeper. According to the Australian Dictionary of Biography, "little is known of his early years and nothing of his education". Nelson moved to Queensland as a young man, working as an engine-driver at Gympie and Mount Perry.
Politics
Nelson, his wife Maud, and their five children moved to Pine Creek, Northern Territory in 1913 where he continued to work as an engine driver and began his involvement in union affairs. Nelson started work as an organiser for the Australian Workers' Union in 1914 and became the first secretary of the AWU's Darwin branch. The influence of the AWU in the Northern Territory grew in significance and so did Nelson. By the end of 1917, 40% of all white men in the Territory belonged to the AWU and Nelson used his standing in the community to gain election to Darwin Town Council. Described as a "medium-sized nuggety man" and a fiery orator, Nelson was an effective campaigner, as can be seen by his successful campaign to significantly raise the wages of Darwin meatworkers in 1917. He also led protests against the Northern Territory AdministratorDr John A. Gilruth, which officially originated in November 1918 when Gilruth refused requests from barmaids for time off to celebrate the end of World War I. On 17 December 1918, in what has since been called the Darwin Rebellion, Nelson led a protest march to Liberty Square, in front of Government House, to demand Gilruth's removal as Administrator. Continued protests eventually led to the removal of Dr Gilruth from the Administrator position in February 1919, followed by the departure of other senior officials soon after. Nelson then turned his attention to campaigning for Northern Territory representation in the Australian parliament, including refusing to pay taxes in an echo of the American War of Independence cry of "no taxation without representation". After a brief gaol stint, Nelson's campaign resulted in the establishment of a Northern Territory-based seat in the House of Representatives. After standing down as AWU secretary, Nelson successfully stood for the new seat as an independent at the 1922 election. Nelson spent his time in parliament campaigning for greater expenditure and self-government for the Northern Territory, with little success. Following his defeat at the 1934 election, Nelson moved to Alice Springs to work as an agent.
Personal life
Nelson married Maud Alice Lawrence on 17 March 1904 in Mount Perry, Queensland. The couple had five children, including John Norman "Jock" Nelson who followed his father into politics. In 1922, Nelson attempted to cross Australia north-south on a 1922 Velocette motorcycle, but failed, and nearly died of dehydration en route. Nelson died from unexpected cardiac failure after a long illness in Alice Springs on 26 April 1947, survived by his wife and five children. His son Jock Nelson also served as member for the Northern Territory and in 1973 became the first Territory born Northern Territory Administrator.
As Nelson is usually referred to by his initials "HG", it is unclear whether Australian comedian Greig Pickhaver named his character H. G. Nelson in honour of Nelson.
