Obituaries Australia

Teddy [Edward] Thompson passed away in Sydney Hospital on June 3, at the comparatively early age of 57. He had been ill for some time before reaching Sydney, and after three weeks under medical attention there went into the hospital, where he remained five weeks, most of the time unconscious of his surroundings. The funeral left the house of Mr. T. White, with whom deceased had been staying, for Waverley Cemetery on June 5.

Teddy was very well known to a large number of A.W.U. members, who will sincerely regret his death. He was associated with the A.S.U. from its inception, and acted as rep. at a good many sheds. He was one of the first organizers of the Bourke Branch General Laborers' Union (with Angus McLeod and Jack Stapleton) in 1891, and took an active part in collecting subscriptions for the Broken Hill miners in 1892, raising over £40 at Boorara as rep. that year. He was associated with the New Australia movement, leaving Sydney with the first batch in 1894, returning to N.S.W. in 1902, and was A.W.U. organizer in 1903, as well as on several occasions afterwards. He was officially connected with the P.L.L. at White Cliffs, secretary at Gemville, and on removing to Lightning Ridge took a prominent part there in political matters and the establishment of an entertainment and debating society, the local P.L.L. presenting him with a very nice medallion in appreciation of his services. He was highly esteemed by all who had an opportunity of knowing his manly actions and sterling qualities. Teddy was one of the earlier days' blade shearers, when many of the present-day shearers had scarcely seen a sheep shorn. He did yeoman service in building up the A.W.U. and the Labor movement, and at much personal sacrifice was ever foremost where help was required in the interests of his fellow-toilers and humanity. May the Labor cause have many such supporters in the future, for it will then never lack enthusiasm nor a worthy example of justice and right to all.