Hector Ross (1894–1970)
They said: "Write a little story about your father for the Trib."
What can I say? His name was Hector Ross, aged 76, died on November 1 [should read 2 November], 1970, at Roseland Convalescent Hospital, Sydney.
He was a foundation member of the Communist Party of Australia, and the editor of the Workers' Weekly, when the paper was born in a stable.
Now, What can I say?
I keep meeting people who tell me what a wonderful man he was. He was reputed to be a very good orator and writer, and, above all, a very honest man, who never expected rewards or even recognition for the selfless life he led in the party, and for what he believed in, Socialism.
As a father, we thought of him as a nice man. Very gay, always joking or making weak puns, and given to severe indulgence in singsongs on Friday nights. He loved dancing, music and books.
He retained his interest in politics, and kept a fairly open mind on the split in the party, but always thought of himself as a Communist.
Probably his old friends could say more about him politically, but we knew him as a man who believed in fairness, equality, honesty and having fun.
He was opposed to greediness, status-seeking, bosses, closed minds and grimly political people.
He was a nice man.
Original publication
Additional Resources
- publication of the Workers Weekly, Workers' Weekly (Sydney), 15 August 1939, p 3
- early years of the Workers Weekly, Tribune (Sydney), 10 July 1973, p 7
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Ross, Hector
- Ross, Hedwig (husband)
- Baker, Clarence Wilbur (colleague)
Citation details
Rosemary Taylor, 'Ross, Hector (1894–1970)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/ross-hector-32249/text39900, accessed 6 October 2024.
Life Summary [details]
Birth
10 October,
1894
Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Death
2 November,
1970
(aged 76)
Narwee, 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.