People Australia

William Robert (Bill) Irving (also known as Irvine) (1920-1982) meat worker, trade union official and Communist

Birth: 8 November 1920 at Redbank, Ipswich, Queensland, son of William Irving (1891-1971), miner, and Jane Melinda, née Nixon (1893-1979). Marriages: (1) 1945 at Townsille, Queensland, to Elizabeth Mary Harris. (2) 1964 at Townsville to Daphne Frances Riggs. He had no children. Death: 14 May 1982 at Townsville, Queensland. Religion: [on enlistment] Anglican. 

• His father was reputedly a member of the Industrial Workers of the World.
• Started work at J. C. Huttons’ Oxley meatworks, Brisbane, in 1935, became active in the union when he started work; secretary of Meatworkers’ Union 1939.
• Gave his occupation as butcher and barman when he enlisted for full time duty in the Australian Military Forces on 8 November 1941. Transferred to the Australian Imperial Force on 11 September 1942. Served with the 49th Battalion in New Guinea and after being wounded in Owen Stanley Ranges on 6 December 1942, was invalided to Australia. Having recovered, he returned to New Guinea and was in action with the 33rd Battalion in Morotai and Borneo. Was discharged on 5 April 1946.
• After the war he worked at Ross River abattoir, in Melbourne, and in the late 1940s at Brisbane abattoir. Elected as organiser, Meatworkers’ Union, North Queensland, in 1953; was union returning officer for Northern District.
• Member of the committee of management of the Australian Council of Trade Unions congress. Secretary of Townsville Trades and Labour Council in the 1960s.
• Attended World Peace Conference, Tokyo, 1961. Active participant in campaign against Australia’s involvement in Vietnam War. In 1975 was prominent in resisting plans to demolish historic buildings in Townsville.
• Secretary Northern District until retirement in 1981. Member of the annual May Day Committee. Member of the Communist Party of Australia for thirty years.
• Cause of death: acute myocardial infarct.

Sources
Meatworker, October 1981, May 1982.