People Australia

Arthur Rupert (Floss) Campbell (1897-1966) boilermaker, Communist and trade union official 

Birth: 13 June 1897 at Torrowangee, New South Wales, son of native-born parents Duncan Frederick Campbell (1870-1939), boundary rider later boilermaker, and Elizabeth Jane Johnston (1871-1946). Marriage: 1924 at Broken Hill, NSW, to native-born Fannie Dullart (b.1924). They had two daughters and two sons. Death: 26 January 1966 at Broken Hill. Religion: Seventh Day Adventist. 

• To Broken Hill early in life. Apprenticed as a boilermaker for four years at North Broken Hill mining camp.
• After having served for four years in the cadets, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 24 April 1918. Transferred to the Flying Corps on 23 July 1918. Served as a second class air mechanic. Discharged on cessation of hostilities on 24 December 1918.
• Member Workers’ Industrial Union of Australia (WIUA), member of management committee and trustee. Check inspector WIUA from 1933 to 1945.
• Member of Labor and Communist parties during various periods.
• Keen student and observer of geology and mineralogy. Won an Australia-wide reputation including being responsible for new species being recognised and classified.
• His unique collection of minerals was purchased by the Commonwealth of Mineralogy for about £5000 pounds, refusing larger offers from overseas.
• Campaigner for soil and water. Frequent contributor to the Barrier Daily Truth.
• Keen student of aboriginal folklore and collected hundreds of relics.
• Cause of death: coronary occlusion and coronary atheroma.

Sources
Barrier Miner, 27 January 1966; Common Cause, 12 February 1966 p 7.