People Australia

Tom Richards, n.d.

Thomas William (Tom) Richards (c. 1870-1947) bootmaker and trade union official

Birth: about 1870 at Ballarat, Victoria, son of James Richards (1831-1876), a miner, born in Cornwall, and Margaret, née Leonard (1839-1902). Marriage: 1891 at Victoria to native-born Esther Rebecca Stevens (1872-1936). They had six sons and five daughters. Four children died in childhood. Death: 20 September 1947 in his home at Westbourne Grove, Northcote, Victoria. 

• Foundation member of the Australian Boot Trade Employees’ Federation, Ballarat Branch.
• Contested Ballarat West seat in Legislative Assembly for Australian Labor Party in 1914. Victimised for union and political activities in Ballarat finding it difficult to remain in work.
• Moved to Melbourne and joined Australian Boot Trade Employees’ Federation (ABTEF) in 1910. Became active member of Clifton Hill branch and later Northcote branch. Secretary of the Victorian branch from 1918 until 1947.
• Appointed secretary of ABTEF, combining the federal with the branch position, during depression years, until the federal position was filled by J. J. Maloney. Took up federation secretaryship again when Maloney vacated the post and continued in both positions until March 1947.
• Cause of death: coronary occlusion and arteriosclerosis (coroner’s report).

Sources
Labor Call, 25 September. 1947 p 5; Unity, 15 October 1947, p 6.