People Australia

John William (Jack) Brock (1892-1966) tramway employee and trade union leader. 

Birth: 7 July 1892 in Lal Lal, Victoria, son of John Francis Brock, farmer, and Catherine Mary, née Carrolan. Marriage: 12 May 1920 at Woollahra, New South Wales to Maude Jenvey, née Wiltshire (1888-1977), who was a widowed house servant, born in Aldershot, Hampshire, England. They had four sons and two daughters. His wife’s first husband, William Percy Jenvey, had been an able seaman in the Royal Navy who was killed in action during World War I.  Death: 27 September 1966 at Earlwood, Sydney. Religion: Catholic. 

• Enlisted in First Australian Imperial Force on 16 October 1916, giving his occupation as grocer. Embarked for overseas service in August 1917. Served in France as a driver in the 12 Field Company Engineers. Returned to Australia in August 1919 and was discharged in November.
• In 1920 commenced duty at Waverley. Secretary of the Australian Tramways and Motor Omnibus Employees Association, NSW branch, from 1936 to 1957.
• From 1957 to 1958 was secretary of the Amalgamated Tramways Union.
• Priorities as secretary were righting union’s finances and improvements in industrial conditions. Served union in ‘a very capable and responsible manner’.
• Cause of death: myocardial infarction.

Sources
ATMOEA, N.S.W. Branch Journal, November 1966.