Obituaries Australia

Percy Trainer

Westralian Worker (Perth), 1 August 1947, p 1

Mr. P. J. [Percival John] Trainer, whose death occurred on Tuesday night, had a meritorious record in the Labor Movement of Great Britain before he arrived in this State shortly before the outbreak of World War One.

His activities in the Labor Movement of this State, with his ability and sincerity, made him the obvious successor to the late E. H. Barker when that gentleman retired from the position of Secretary of the State Executive in 1933, a position held by Mr. Trainer until his appointment to the Arbitration Court Bench in 1942. A highlight, of Mr. Trainer's career during his secretaryship of the State Executive was the securing, as Advocate for the Unions in the Basic Wage Inquiry of 1938, of a 8/. increase in the real wages of all workers.

Mr. Trainer died at the age of 61, after an illness extending over some months. His too short life was by no means an easy one, and he knew what it meant to be victimised for his opinions and activities by some of his employers. But his was a cheerful disposition, and he was usually able to find some humor in the bleakest situation.

For the past thirty and more years there has been no activity designed to improve the conditions of the workers in which Mr. Trainer has not taken a leading part.

His death removes one upon whom it was usual to look for help and guidance in every worthy cause, and he always gave his assistance willingly. His own hours of work were invariably longer than the hours he sought when appearing as an Advocate for the Unions.

Every worker in this State is enjoying better working conditions to-day as a result of Mr. Trainer's efforts. In every record of industrial activity in this State since his arrival here his name figures prominently. He won and held the confidence of his workmates in the building of the edifice of Labor, and no man can have a better record than that.

To his widow and family the Labor Movement of Western Australia extends sympathy in a loss that is more than State-wide.

An impressive ceremony took place in the Arbitration Court on Wednesday morning, when members of the Bench and representatives of all parties concerned in industrial matters paid tribute to the work and worth of Mr. Trainer.