People Australia

Ephraim (Eric) Taylor,  (1902-1974), ironworker, trade union official and socialist 

Birth: 1902 at Hamilton, Victoria, son of native-born parents William Walker Taylor (1865-1939), brewer and saddler, and Isabella, née Drever (1866-1955). Marriage: 1924 at Malvern, Victoria, to Doris Dean (1903-1979), born at Deniliquin, New South Wales. They had one daughter and two sons. Death: 21 August 1974 at Parkville, Melbourne. 

• His father and three of his brothers served in the Australian Imperial Force in World War I; two of the brothers – Robert James (1898-1916) and Thomas Henry (1900-1918) – were killed in action.
• Involved in trade unions from the World War I period.
• Advocated the case for socialism after the war and became known as a “red ragger” from the 1920s. State president of Federated Ironworkers’ Union (FIWU) soon after the amalgamation with the Munition Workers’ Union from the early 1940s for twelve years. Removed from the position as a result of a judgement by the Conciliation and Arbitration Court.
• Returned to work as an ironworker and became injured after five years. Gained alternative work including as a waterfront watchman up to the early 1970s which brought him to join the Miscellaneous Workers’ Union.
• Recovering from a heart attack in the early 1970s he gained financial support for recognition of his service from the waterfront watchmen employed by the United Ships Services.
• Lived for many years at Footscray, Melbourne. Cause of death: myocardial infarct (2 days), multiple myocardial infarcts (4 years), recurrent congestive cardiac failure (4 years), multiple cerebrovascular accidents (5 years), and arteriosclerosis (years).
• His son William Thomas Taylor (1926-1972), a projectionist, served in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve in World War II.
• George Cuthbert Taylor, trade union official and politician, was his brother.

Sources
Federation News, August-September 1971.