Max Thomas (1911–1994)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2025
Max Thomas (1911-1994) motor driver, printer, gaoled Communist and community activist
Birth: 15 September 1911 at Waihi, New Zealand, one of twin sons of Lewis John Thomas (1885-1965), miner, later railway ganger, and Mabella Catherine (Belle) Stewart, née Ackermann (1883-1971). His parents had been born and married in New South Wales. Marriages: (1) 4 March 1933 at St Peters Anglican church, Cooks River, Sydney, to Elizabeth Maude (Betsy) Rogan (1913-1971). (2) date unknown in Sydney to Nance Louise Bonnefin. He had four sons and two daughters. Death: 2 June 1994 in Northaven Nursing Home, Turramurra, Sydney; usual residence Kooloona Crescent, West Pymble. Religion: (on service record: Anglican).
- His parents had moved back to New South Wales with their children by 1913. Max was a motor driver, living at Summer Hill, Sydney, in 1933.
- By 1940 he had joined the Communist Party of Australia (CPA) and late that year was jailed with fellow-communist H. H. Ratliff for five months for distributing CP material opposing Australia’s involvement in World War II.
- Soon after his release he was jailed again without charge. On their further release the two men protested their imprisonment by participating in a hunger strike for 22 days and gained national publicity. Their action triggered a statewide strike in July 1941 in which it was estimated that 50,000 workers participated.
- Nevertheless, Max enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 19 December 1941. Served as a corporal with the Australian Army Service Corps in New Guinea where he contracted malaria and dermatitis. Was discharged medically unfit on 18 November 1944.
- Resumed work as a printer. Was an Active member of the Printing and Kindred Industries Union. His nomination for position of State president of the Printing Industry Employees’ Union in February 1948 was rejected by the board of management on the ground that he was a CPA member.
- Continued to be a CPA supporter into the 1980s.
- Was a founding member of the Ku-ring-gai Ratepayers’ Association and a member of Ku-ring-gai Ratepayers’ Defence League of which he was secretary from 1966 to 1973.
- Cause of death: cardiorespiratory arrest (minutes), cerebrovascular accident (5 days) and Alzheimer’s disease (4 years).
Sources
North Shore Times, 10 June 1994, p 5.
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- World War II service file, B883, NX80499 (National Archives of Australia)
- is sentenced to 7 months gaol for breach of national security regulations, Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 29 December 1940, p 9, column 7
- is on a hunger strike, Sun (Sydney), 9 July 1941, p 3
- is released from an interment camp, Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 22 October 1941, p 2
- appeals ban on his nomination for president of printing union, Tribune (Sydney), 4 February 1948, p 3
- discusses his imprisonment, Tribune (Sydney), 12 November 1980, p 11
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Ratliff, Horace Henry (colleague)
Citation details
'Thomas, Max (1911–1994)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/thomas-max-35040/text44181, accessed 27 April 2025.
Max Thomas, 1941
National Archives of Australia, B883, NX80499
Life Summary [details]
Birth
15 September,
1911
Waihi,
New Zealand
Death
2 June,
1994
(aged 82)
Turramurra, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.
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.