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John Moresby Quintal (1884–1961)

This article was published:

John Quintal, by John McPhee, 1954

John Quintal, by John McPhee, 1954

Libraries Tasmania, LMSS754-2-353

John Moresby Quintal (1884-1961) engine driver, trade union official and parliamentarian 

Birth: 2 January 1884 at Hobart, Tasmania, son of John Moresby Acland Quintal (1853-1891), police constable, born at Pitcairn Island, and Hobart-born Harriett, née Cawthray (1858-1936). Marriages: (1) about 1922 to Amy May Martyn (1903-1989). They had one daughter. (2) 10 October 1928 at St George’s Church, Hobart, to Albertha Louisa Isobel Wright, née Jackson (1891-1947). They had one son. Death: [registered as John Morisby Quintal] 5 April 1961 in hospital at Launceston, Tasmania. 

  • He was a direct descendant of Matthew Quintal (1667-1799), one of the mutineers of the Bounty.
  • Educated at State schools in Tasmania. Worked as an engine driver 1902-1909, fuel merchant 1910-1915, cycle mechanic and general engineer 1916-1927 and engine driver 1927-1943.
  • In 1924 joined the Amalgamated Engineering Union, resigning in 1927 to join the Federated Engine Drivers' and Firemen's Association of Australia (FEDFA). Involved in establishing a separate Tasmanian branch of union from a joint Victorian-Tasmanian Branch.
  • President of trustees and management committee-member of the Trades Hall Council. Involved in erecting a new Trades Hall building in Launceston.
  • In 1910 had become associated with Tasmanian Workers’ Political League in Dennison, later merged into the Australian Labor Party. Contested House of Assembly seat of Bass in 1941. Elected MLA for the seat of Bass from 23 September 1942. Was defeated on 23 November 1946. Contested seat of Cornwall in 1948.
  • Full-time secretary of the State branch of the FEDFA from 1952 until his retirement in October 1954. Past president of the Labour Day Committee in Launceston and FEDFA’s state delegate to the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
  • Co-founder Tasmania Henry George League. Member of Invermay Bowling Club.
  • Cause of death: chronic bronchitis, emphysema, congestive cardiac failure and large tumour in left kidney.

Sources
Scott Bennett & Barbara Bennett, Biographical Register of the Tasmanian Parliament, 1851–1960, (Canberra, 1980); Engine Drivers' and Firemen's Union's journal, 28 April 1961 p 14

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Quintal, John Moresby (1884–1961)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/quintal-john-moresby-34699/text43658, accessed 12 October 2024.

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