Labour Australia

  • Tip: searches only the name field
  • Tip: Use double quotes to search for a phrase

Browse Lists:

Cultural Advice

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

In addition, some articles contain terms or views that were acceptable within mainstream Australian culture in the period in which they were written, but may no longer be considered appropriate.

These articles do not necessarily reflect the views of The Australian National University.

Older articles are being reviewed with a view to bringing them into line with contemporary values but the original text will remain available for historical context.

John (Jack) Dudley (1906–1972)

This article was published:

This entry is from People Australia

John (Jack) Dudley (1906-1972) painter, alderman and trade union official

Birth: 8 November 1906 and baptized at St John, Dukinfield, Cheshire, England, son of Frederick Moore Dudley (1867-1936), an iron sheet-roller, and Amy, née Wright (1876-1962). Marriages: (1) 27 July 1927 at Lithgow, New South Wales, with Presbyterian forms, to native-born Phyllis Myrtle Ransley, later Stevens (1908-1983), a book-keeper. The marriage ended in divorce. (2) 1937 at Lithgow to native-born Annie Isabelle Urwin (1912-1995), a waitress. Death: 24 April 1972 at Lithgow. 

  • Arrived in Sydney with his parents and siblings in 1910. Family settled at Lithgow where his father, who came to Australia under contract to the Lithgow works of G. and C. Hoskins, worked as a sheet-roller, but had little employment after the mill closed in Lithgow. John’s brother Frederick Moore Dudley (1897-1953), an iron-worker, served in the 17th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, in World War I.
  • John Dudley worked as a painter. Previously a member of the Operative Painters’ Union, in 1940 he joined the Lithgow branch of the Arms, Explosives and Munition Workers’ Federation; in 1941 was elected president.
  • Was president of the Western Districts branch of the Federated Ironworkers’ Association of Australia (FIA) from 1944. Trustee from 1943 and delegate to National Conference, FIA, from 1944.
  • Active in the Lithgow branch of the [Federal] Australian Labor Party from the 1930s. Was a prominent Grouper, supporter of Laurie Short.
  • Active in Lithgow community affairs, alderman of Lithgow City Council for 21 years from December 1947. President of Lithgow Rugby League.
  • Appointed MBE 1969 for public and community service.

Sources
Robert Murray and Kate White, The Ironworkers: a history of the Federated Ironworkers’ Association of Australia (Sydney, 1982); Labor News, October/November1969, March/April 1972.

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Dudley, John (Jack) (1906–1972)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://labouraustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/dudley-john-jack-33457/text41835, accessed 28 March 2024.

© Copyright Labour Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

8 November, 1906
Cheshire, England

Death

24 April, 1972 (aged 65)
Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia

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.

Occupation
Awards
Key Organisations
Political Activism
Workplaces