People Australia

Harry Ruby, by Charlie Farr, c.1900

James Henry (Harry) Ruby (1869-1955) engine-driver and trade union official

Birth: 25 July 1869 at Cambrian Hill, Sebastopol, Ballarat, Victoria, son of William Henry John Ruby (1844-1917), a seaman, later mine manager, born at East Stonehouse, Devon, England, and native-born Ruth Maria, née Triffard (1848-1929). Marriages: (1) 1896 at Melbourne to Margaret (Maggie) Williams (1867-1907). They had two sons. (2) 1921 at Melbourne to native-born May Lillie (1887-1973). Death: 24 August 1955 in his usual residence, at Blyth Street, Brunswick, Melbourne. 

• Officer of the Federated Engine Drivers’ and Firemen’s Association of Australasia, 1901. President of the Amalgamated Engine Drivers’ Association (AEDA) branch, of the FEDFA of Victoria in 1910-1911. Appointed salaried secretary of the AEDA branch of the FEDFA of Victoria (£75 per annum) in 1911.
• Lived at Maryborough from the 1890s to 1917, when he moved to Melbourne.
• Represented AEDA branch of the FEDFA of Victoria on the Federal Council and Federal Executive from 1912 to 1924; general president in 1916. AEDA Branch of the FEDFA of Victoria was amalgamated with the Victorian No. 1 Branch in 1924.
• With amalgamation of the two branches, Harry became assistant secretary of Victorian branch of the FEDFA from 1924 to 1931. He was appointed branch secretary in 1931. Retired in 1936 due to ill-health.
• Cause of death: coronary occlusion (1 week) and coronary sclerosis (9 years).

Sources
Safety Valve, 1 May 1916 p.4, September 1955 p 15.