People Australia

  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites
  • searches all National Centre of Biography websites

Browse People:

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

Francis Henry (Frank) Campbell (1905–1998)

This article was published:

Francis Henry (Frank) Campbell (1905-1998) clerk, trade union leader, Fabian, Labor party activist 

Birth: 23 April 1905 at Owen Sound, Grey, Ontario, Canada, son of English parents born in Lancashire, James Francis Campbell (1871-1924), an engineer, and Elizabeth Ann (Eliza), née Mulready (1873-1958), shirtmaker. Marriage: 18 November 1939 in Brisbane, Queensland, to Maisie Emily Crompton (1918-2000), who had been born in Los Angeles, California, United States of America. They had one child. Death: 13 December 1998 in Brisbane. 

  • Family returned to England from Canada and lived at Reddish, in Cheshire.
  • Came to Australia with his parents as a child aboard the Perthshire, arriving in Brisbane a few weeks prior to the 1912 general strike.
  • During 1920s was a clerk, employed on Labor newspaper, Daily Standard (Brisbane), as member of the reading room staff.
  • His father died when Frank was aged 19. Unemployed and on the dole 1928-1934.
  • 1935 navvy with New South Wales Railways, working on Kyogle line, near Queensland border. Organised Glenapp-South Brisbane sub-branch of Australian Railways Union (ARU), of which he was secretary for 3 years.
  • Worked as clerk in Queensland branch head office, Brisbane. 1942 elected secretary of ARU Central District, Rockhampton, holding position until retirement in 1969.
  • Delegate to ARU Federal and State councils. ARU delegate to Rockhampton Trades and Labor Council from 1942 to 1969 and president at time of retirement.
  • ARU sub-branch representative on Peace Committee, Combined Railways Union, Aboriginal and Torres Straights Islander Advancement Association, Prices Committee.
  • Believed in need for amalgamation of unions in railway sector to enhance bargaining power with employer.
  • Joined Australian Labor Party in Brisbane aged 19 and was branch delegate to Oxley Federal Electorate Council. Branch president of the West Rockhampton branch of the ALP for some years. Co-founder Rockhampton Branch of Fabian Society.

Sources
The Advocate, March-April 1969, May-June 1969; Railway Advocate, August 1986.

Citation details

'Campbell, Francis Henry (Frank) (1905–1998)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/campbell-francis-henry-frank-32950/text41053, accessed 19 September 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

23 April, 1905
Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada

Death

13 December, 1998 (aged 93)
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Passenger Ship
Occupation
Key Organisations
Political Activism
Workplaces