[Illuminated address presented to] Mr F. W. Barlow, Granville, [from] fellow workmen the employees, Hudson Brothers, Clyde N.S.W., May 25th 1895. / by A. Tetley

V/343

fonds

25th May 1895

Graphic Materials, Drawings, Textual Records

1008328

1 drawing - 52 x 40 cm. - watercolour and manuscript

Frederick Willian Barlow (1866-1935) emigrated to Sydney from Cambridgeshire at the age of 22. He moved to Granville with his family several years later, where he was employed by the engineering firm Hudson Brothers.

On 19 March 1895 Hudson Brothers announced a 10-20% reduction in wages, causing nearly 300 workers to walk off the site. Barlow, then head storekeeper at the works, was elected chairman of the workers strike, which ended after five weeks with the pay cut reduced to 7.5-12.5%. This commemorative address illustrates the esteem held for Barlow by the other workers in relation to the strike, and is a record of early industrial action by workers in New South Wales.

Barlow was a member of the local football team which was mostly made up of Hudson Brothers employees. The team was very successful, winning the Sydney Football Association competition two years in a row. In 1924 Barlow was elected head of the NSW Soccer Association.
Reference: Library correspondence file

Illuminated address presented to Frederick William Barlow from the employees of Hudson Brothers, Clyde, May 25th 1895. Handpainted by A. Tetley, with signatures of nine employees including the treasurer, secretary and picket secretary.

Out of copyright:
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