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Herbert Percy (Herb) Splatt (1911–1979)

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Herbert Percy (Herb) Splatt (1911-1979) motor driver and trade union official 

Birth: 19 October 1911 at Geelong, Victoria, son of native-born parents Herbert Arthur Splatt (1888-1958), labourer, later motor driver, and Mary Maude Mabel, née Reher (1886-1938). Marriage: 1941 at Geelong to Doris Lorraine Kelly (1915-1998), born at Horsham, Victoria. They had one daughter. Death: 23 May 1979 in his home at Montague Street, Highton, Geelong. Religion: Anglican or Methodist. 

  • Worked as a driver. Joined Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) in 1932.
  • Was called up on 31 October 1941 for full time duty in the Citizen Military Forces. On 25 August 1942 transferred to the Australian Imperial Force. Served with the 2nd Australian Medical Regiment in Western Australia and in Queensland, and for some four months overseas in Borneo in 1945. Was discharged on 26 April 1946.
  • Was State organiser, Victoria, and honorary secretary of the Geelong and Western District sub-branch of the TWU from 1953 to 1974.
  • Delegate to Geelong Trades Hall Council and assistant secretary.
  • Awarded TWU’s gold medallion and honorary life membership on retirement in 1974.
  • September 1954 was honorary assistant treasurer of the Colac Rowing Club.
  • Cause of death: secondary carcinoma (9 months) and carcinoma of prostate (3 years).

Sources
Transport Worker, June-September 1974, December 1974, June 1979, p 21.

Additional Resources and Scholarship

Citation details

'Splatt, Herbert Percy (Herb) (1911–1979)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/splatt-herbert-percy-herb-35037/text44177, accessed 27 April 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

19 October, 1911
Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Death

23 May, 1979 (aged 67)
Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Cause of Death

cancer (prostate)

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 or Descriptor
Military Service
Key Organisations