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William John (Bill) Smith (1888–1961)

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William John Robert (Bill) Smith (1888-1961) clicker and trade union official 

Birth: 29 July 1888 at Hobart, Tasmania, son of native-born parents William Joseph Smith (1855-1918), railway employee, and Maria May, née Bush (1856-1936). Marriage: 17 September 1908 at Hobart to Julia Ethel Taylor (1891-1983). They had two daughters and three sons. Death: 29 September 1961 in his residence at Hamilton Street, West Hobart. 

  • Worked at factory of Cuthbertson & Sons, Hobart, for forty-one years.
  • Joined Boot Trade Employees’ Federation in 1909.
  • Secretary of Tasmanian sub-branch of the Victorian branch of the Federation from 1927 to 1950 at least. Represented the branch at the Federal Council from 1927 to 1936. Sometime Federal vice-president.
  • Represented the branch as a delegate to the State Wages Board and was a delegate to the Trades Hall Council.
  • From October 1908 served in the 17th Battery, Australian Field Artillery, and was battery sergeant major on his discharge on 1 June 1920.
  • Was a pensioner in his later years.
  • Cause of death: rheumatoid arthritis. 

Sources
Unity, 16 October 1950, p 16, 15 January 1960, p 12.

Citation details

'Smith, William John (Bill) (1888–1961)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/smith-william-john-bill-35210/text44548, accessed 20 January 2026.

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