John Norton (Australian Journalist) - Marriage, Separation and Death

Marriage, Separation and Death

John Norton married Ada McGrath (1871-1960) on 29 April 1897 at St James' Church, Sydney. They had a son, Ezra Norton (1897–1967). Ten years later they had a daughter, Joan Norton (1907–1940). Initially, the family lived at Watsons Bay but by 1905 they had moved to the St Helena mansion that overlooked Maroubra Beach.

Their marriage was not a happy one. John and Ada Norton were judicially separated on 9 November 1915 on the grounds of Norton's drunkenness, cruelty and adultery. John Norton represented himself during the proceedings while Richard Windeyer KC acted on behalf of Mrs Ada Norton. Details of the divorce trial appeared in the national press, including Norton's own newspaper The Truth.

John Norton was a chronic alcoholic and suffered from megalomania for most of his adult life.

John Norton died at a private hospital in Melbourne of Uraemia and kidney failure on 9 April 1916. He had been seriously ill for some months and had been in a coma for a week before his death. His wife, son and daughter were at his bedside when he died.

His body was returned to Sydney for burial. On 15 April 1916, huge crowds attended his funeral service at St James' Church, Sydney and later at his elaborate burial at South Head Cemetery (refer:Waverley Cemetery).