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Frederick Walter (Fred) Wayman (1911–2000)

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Frederick Walter (Fred) Wayman (1911-2000) waterside worker and trade union official

Birth: 5 July 1911 at Perth, Western Australia, son of Frederick Walter Wayman (1883-1965) carpenter, born at Mile End, London, and Hilda, née Sylvester (1884-1966). Both parents were born in London, his father at Mile End, his mother at Kensington. Marriage: 1938 at Fremantle, Western Australia to native-born Rose Ada Munday (1914-2001). Death: 24 February 2000 at Fremantle, WA. Religion: Buried in Methodist Cemetery, Palmyra, Perth. 

  • His father enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 1916, served in France with the 3rd Tunnelling Company, and was discharged in Perth on 26 August 1918.
  • As a boy young Fred prospected on WA goldfields, 1919.
  • Was a shop assistant when he voluntarily enlisted in the Australian Military Forces Militia on 13 November 1930.
  • Organiser of unemployed during the Great Depression, then worked in the railways.
  • Giving his occupation as agent, he enlisted in the Imperial Force on 12 January 1942. Served in Australia during World War II and was discharged in Perth on 27 November 1945.
  • Post WWII he was active in the Waterside Workers’ Federation (WWF) support for Indonesian independence from the Dutch.
  • Worked in North Fremantle wheat silos near the wharf, leading workers in a successful wage campaign. State Union Councilman in Railways.
  • In 1953 applied to join WWF, Fremantle, elected secretary of strike committee 1954, when also first secretary of WWF delegates committee.
  • From 1956 to 1961 was elected secretary of strike committee; in 1956-1957 was vice president Fremantle branch of WWF. In 1967 was elected secretary of Fremantle WWF; held office until 1978.
  • Delegate to WA Trades and Labour Council from 1958 to 1973; Australian Labor Party delegate in 1960-1972.
  • Executive Member of Tallies’ Credit Union.
  • After retirement he was ‘actively engaged in writing and speaking out for democracy’ following Whitlam’s dismissal in 1975.

Sources
Maritime Worker, 16 December 1975; interview with Vic and Justina Williams.

Additional Resources and Scholarship

Citation details

'Wayman, Frederick Walter (Fred) (1911–2000)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/wayman-frederick-walter-fred-34911/text44005, accessed 26 April 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

5 July, 1911
Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Death

24 February, 2000 (aged 88)
Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia

Cause of Death

unknown

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.

Occupation or Descriptor
Military Service
Key Organisations
Political Activism
Workplaces