People Australia

John Clapham, 1921 [detail]

Westralian Worker (Perth,) 16 December 1921, p 1

Clapham, John William (1870-1926) master tailor and trade union official

Birth: 19 May 1870 at Paddington, London, England, son of Michael Leaf Clapham (1837-1900), master tailor, and Sarah, née Simpson (c.1837-1884). Marriage: 18 June 1910 in Westbourne Park Baptist chapel, Paddington, London, England, to Elizabeth Morgan. Death: 4 July 1926 in his home at Cottesloe, Perth, Western Australia. Religion: Congregationalist. 

• After private schooling, was educated from 13 October 1880 at St Matthew’s school, Westminster. By 1901 was a master tailor at Paddington.
• Arrived in WA with his wife about 1914. Followed his trade of tailoring. Always a keen supporter of the Australian Labor Party. “A reader, a quiet-spoken man, charitable in his views and unshakable in his faith in the Cause”.
• Successful in improving the organisation of his fellow-workers in the clothing trade. In 1917 he was appointed salaried secretary of the South-West Clothing Trades Union. With Jean Beadle he was active in hearings before the Arbitration Court to increase wages and improve working conditions for women workers. Held the position until his death.
• Was “one of the most painstaking union secretaries in WA. He presents his facts at conferences and before the courts with meticulous care and exactitude.” Amongst his achievements was to frame amendments to the Shops and Factories Act. Was spokesman on this subject at the ALP congress.
• With his wife he was an office-holder in the Citizens’ Vigilance Committee, “formed to watch the administration of the amended Health Act regarding venereal diseases, and to foster the education of the public concerning sex hygiene, sex relationships and other kindred subjects”.
• Delegate to the Australian Labor Federation metropolitan council. Elected trustee of the Metropolitan Council of the ALP.
• Committee-member of the Industrial Vigilance Committee, advocating, among other things, “full citizenship for women”. Also prominent in raising funds for the Girls’ Club.