People Australia

William Webber, n.d.

William Henry Webber (1877-1948) grocer and trade union official

Birth: 18 January 1877 at Castlemaine, Victoria, son of Nicholas Webber, wood worker, and Marion, née Murray. Marriage: 6 May 1900 at Castlemaine to native-born Elizabeth Sarah Hodgson (1870-1970). They had two daughters and four sons. Death: 27 March 1948 in his usual residence at Bell Street, West Preston, Melbourne, Victoria. 

• Educated at Castlemaine and served apprenticeship in grocery trade in town.
• Elected secretary of Grocery Employees Union in 1909 and, upon amalgamation, elected secretary of Victorian Shop Assistants Union in 1919, holding the position until 1947 when he retired. Was also federal secretary and federal president of Shop Assistants Union for significant periods.
• An Australian Labor Party stalwart, he contested Castlemaine and Prahran elections for the party.
• Secretary of Prahran ALP for many years and president Prahran State Electorate Council.
• Director of Labor Call from 1930 and editor of Shop Assistants Journal.
• Cause of death: cardiac failure (2 days), coronary occlusion (2 days) and arteriosclerosis (years).

Sources
Labor Call, 12 January 1922, 2 April 1948; The Shop Assistant, April-June 1948.