People Australia

Ted Delphin, 1968 [detail]

Edward Gordon (Ted) Delphin (1913-1982) miner, lumper and trade union official 

Birth: 24 December 1913 at Waratah, Tasmania, son of native-born parents John Augustus Delphin (1875-1957), labourer, and Mary Jane, née Randall (1887-1965). Marriage: 2 October 1939 at Christchurch, New Zealand, to Joan Cynthia Lee (1921-2019), born in Western Australia. They had two children. Death: 17 June 1982 at Fremantle, Western Australia. Religion: Catholic. 

• Commenced working life as a miner at Mount Lyell, Tasmania. Moved to Kalgoorlie and Norseman in Western Australia, where he worked as a machine miner.
• In 1938 to went to Wau and Edie Creek, New Guinea, but was ‘virtually banished from Wau for engaging in union activities’. 1939 worked in tunnel construction in Kaikora, New Zealand. 1940 returned to Norseman.
• During World War II, he enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces on 22 January 1942 and served full time from 11 May as a trooper in the 10th Australian Light Horse Regiment in Western Australia. He was discharged on 14 February 1944 on medical grounds.
• Became casual wharf labourer, ‘Sea Gull’, Fremantle. In 1945 joined Fremantle Lumpers’ Union (to become part of Waterside Workers’ Federation (WWF)). 1952 was elected to Fremantle committee of management of union.
• Played important part in major strikes of 1954/1956, organising strike committee structure and seeking assistance for strikers from inland towns. In 1961 became senior vice-president of union and Fremantle delegate to World Peace Conference, Sydney. In 1964 was Fremantle delegate to All Ports conference.
• Representative of union branch at Fremantle district of the Australian Labor Party and ALP state conference.
• Suffered badly from dusted lungs from work as miner.
• Upon retirement in 1975 helped to found Fremantle WWF Retired Members’ Association and became publicity officer.

Sources
Maritime Worker, September 1982.