Edward John (Eddie) Ward (1899 - 1963), by unknown photographer, 1956, courtesy of National Archives of Australia. A1200:L21653. .Image Details

WARD, EDWARD JOHN (1899-1963), politician, was born on 21 March 1899 at Darlington, Sydney, fourth child and elder son of native-born parents Edward James Ward, tramway labourer, and his wife Mary Ann, née Maher. Known to his family as Ned, he grew up in a Catholic working-class family at Surry Hills. He began his education at the convent school of St Francis de Sales, but the small fees were beyond the family budget; he was transferred to Cleveland Street then Crown Street Superior Public schools. His militancy was already apparent: he organized a snap strike against school 'conditions' (which failed when classmates deserted him). Leaving school at 14, he had a succession of jobs—fruit-picker, printer's devil, hardware-store clerk and tarpaulin-maker.

World War I reinforced Ward's radical instincts ...

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Source:

Australian Dictionary of Biography