Labour Australia

Deep regret was expressed at the Trades Hall on Thursday last when it became known that Comrade H. J. [Henry John] Chapman, organiser of the Brick, Tile and Pottery Union had died the day before in Leicester private hospital, Queen's-road, St. Kilda, after many weeks' illness. He was buried on the Saturday morning following.

Comrade Chapman, who was 56 years of age, had been organiser for the union for ten years, and a prominent figure in the industrial and political Labor Movements for the past 26 years. He was a member of the Trades Hall Council, Metropolitan Council of the Labor Party, and had been for many years a delegate to all the most important conferences. He was Federal Treasurer of the Union. Harry was highly esteemed in Labor circles.

Comrade Chapman polled a large vote in the pre-selection ballot for the Heidelberg seat before the last election. He also contested the Central Ward in the Preston Council. Illness prevented him from again contesting a seat which he had a good chance of winning.

Although industrial and political activities engaged most of his time, Harry put in much quiet and beneficial work in helping Friendly Societies along, and while residing at Oakleigh at one period was responsible for greatly adding to the strength of the U.A.O.D. membership.

The burial, which took place at the Coburg Cemetery, was attended by representatives of the various unions connected with the Trades Hall, and there was a good number of A.L.P. members and Druids present. The flag at the Trades Hall flew at half-mast as a token of respect to the deceased brother.