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Victor Arnold (Vic) Robson (1895–1982)

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Victor Arnold (Vic) Robson (1895-1982) bus driver and trade union official

Birth: 1895 at Woollahra, Sydney, New South Wales, son of native-born parents Arnold Taylor Robson (1869-1961), clerk, and Agnes Mary, née Spiller (1869-1953). Marriage: 1921 at Dulwich Hill, Sydney, to Olive May Bruce (1899-1981). They had five daughters and five sons. Death: 27 October 1982 in Concord Repatriation Hospital, Sydney, usual residence Miller Street, North Ryde, Sydney. 

  • Vic was a junior clerk in the Department of Government Transport in 1913-1914.
  • Having served previously in the Australian Rifles (militia), he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 31 May 1915 and served in the 2nd Battalion at Gallipoli and later in France, where he was promoted to sergeant. He was discharged in Sydney on 16 July 1919.
  • After working in the private bus services, he was employed as a bus driver in government service in 1933.
  • Played leading role in the foundation in 1934 and activities of the bus branch of the Australian Tramway and Motor Omnibus Employees’ Association (ATMOEA).
  • Assisted in application for a State Award in NSW for Government bus employees in 1936. Assisted in securing admission of the bus branch as a member of the Federal Council and consequently became entitled to a Federal Award. President of the bus branch from 1938 to 1944.
  • Active in union activities in Hunters Hill area. Became full-time organiser of union in 1944. Continued as organiser in 1957 when the two branches of the union amalgamated, until he retired in 1960. As an organiser after amalgamation he was responsible for Brookvale, Willoughby, North Sydney, Ryde, Enfield and Leichhardt depots.
  • Was a member of the federal council of the ATMOEA for many years, including vice-president. Delegate to Trades and Labor Council. Delegate to annual Australian Labor Party conference, representing the union. Member of ALP.
  • Cause of death: septicaemia (hours), bacterial pneumonia (days), post herpetic neuralgia (months).

Sources
ATMOEA NSW Branch Journal, September 1960 p.7.

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Citation details

'Robson, Victor Arnold (Vic) (1895–1982)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/robson-victor-arnold-vic-34780/text43781, accessed 5 October 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

1895
Woollahra, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Death

27 October, 1982 (aged ~ 87)
Concord, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

sepsis

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Military Service
Key Organisations
Political Activism
Workplaces