People Australia

Allen (Muzzy) Musgrave [also known as Alan or Allan] (1900-1977) engine driver and trade union official 

Birth: 24 December 1900 at Adelaide, South Australia, son of John Musgrave (1861-1940), born at Branxholme, Victoria, and Lavinia, née Coventry (1865-1943), born at Happy Valley, South Australia. Marriage: 23 October 1926 at Torrensville Methodist Church, Adelaide, to native-born Lillian Grace Mountford (1896-1984). They had two daughters. Death: 26 October 1977 in home for incurables, Fullarton, Adelaide; usual residence Mitchell Avenue, Plympton Park, Adelaide. 

• Started employment in butchering industry. Worked at Broken Hill, New South Wales, and was a member of the Australian Workers’ Union, NSW branch, in 1917.
• As he changed industries he became member, Glass Manufacturers Union, Iron Workers Union and Meat Industry Employees Union.
• Commenced with Commonwealth Railway (later known as the Australian National Railways) as workshop employee in 1924 and became an engine cleaner in 1925 and later fireman in South Australia, at Port Augusta, Pimba, Quorn and Cook and sometimes returning to the same town later.
• Promoted to classification of driver in Quorn in 1938 and remained there until 1953 when he was transferred to Port Augusta where he stayed until his retirement in 1961. Also became a train examiner.
• Foundation member and committee member of the Quorn branch of the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen (AFULE), Commonwealth division, 1926; foundation member of Railway Institute; secretary of the Quorn branch in 1928-1930 and 1931-1932; chairman, Cook branch, 1932-1936 and secretary 1936. Contested position for divisional secretary 1932 and general secretary, both unsuccessfully.
• While still in Cook he became part-time divisional secretary of the Commonwealth division of AFULE upon death of former divisional secretary, Harold Griffin, from 1936 until he retired in 1961, a role which also included court advocacy.
• Together with General Secretary of AFULE, Jack Galvin, he won a much-celebrated case in vastly improving the award rates in a CPSA determination in Musgrave worked through the changes in wages and conditions in a time when the railways moved from steam to diesel locomotion through much planning and many conferences and arbitral proceedings.
• Commonwealth delegate to all meetings of the Australian Convention (Federal Conference?) from 1936 to 1955 at least; councillor and vice-president; Australian council of AFULE. On retirement was made life member of division and life member of the federal union.
• Moved to Adelaide after retirement.
• Member of the Australian Labor Party for many years and held positions of convention delegate, branch secretary and auditor. At an earlier time he contested position of secretary of the SA branch of ALP. Contested seat on Quorn municipal council in 1944 and 1945.
• Keen follower of sport and in his younger days was an Australian Rules footballer and at one time captain of a combined Port Augusta team. Entered Commonwealth team into Interstate Railways Football Carnivals. Manager of Victoria, SA, and WA Carnivals and assistant manager of Tasmanian Carnival. Life member of Albion Football Club Quorn Association 1953. President Central Football Club Port Augusta in 1955.
• Cause of Death: acute myocardial ischaemia.

Locomotive Journal, 14 June 1945 p 29, 14 July 1955 pp 21-22, 13 April 1961, pp 19-23, 1977, p 13.