Bill Chaffey
Major Bill Chaffey | |
---|---|
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Tamworth | |
In office 10 August 1940 – 19 October 1973 | |
Preceded by | Frank Chaffey |
Succeeded by | Noel Park |
Personal details | |
Born |
18 February 1915 Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia |
Died |
04 March 1987 Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia |
Nationality | Australian |
Political party | Independent |
Other political affiliations |
United Australia Country |
Spouse(s) | Patricia Egerton-Warburton (m. 29 January 1946) |
Relations | Frank Chaffey (father) |
Children | 1 son, 2 daughters |
Religion | Anglican |
Military service | |
Allegiance | Australia |
Service/branch |
Australian Army Second Australian Imperial Force |
Years of service | 1941–1945 |
Rank | Major |
Unit |
2/5th Commando Squadron Z Special Unit |
Battles/wars |
World War II Papua New Guinea French Indochina Borneo campaign (1945) |
Major William 'Bill' Adolphus Chaffey (2 February 1915 – 4 March 1987) was an Australian farmer, distinguished soldier and long serving member of the Parliament of New South Wales.
Chaffey represented the electoral district of Tamworth from 1940 to 1973. He also served as the New South Wales Minister for Agriculture from 1965 to 1968.[1] Chaffey succeeded his father, Frank in parliament after the latter's death and together they served a combined fifty-nine years and nine months in the New South Wales parliament representing the New England region of New South Wales.
Biography
William Adolphus Chaffey was born in Tamworth, New South Wales on 2 February 1915 to Frank Augustus Chaffey, himself a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, and Amy McIlveen. He was educated at Tamworth public school, The King's School, and Hawkesbury Agricultural College.
On 16 December 1941 he joined the Australian Imperial Force.[2] He served in the 2/5th Independent Company, and was twice mentioned in despatches, as well as winning the United States' Bronze Star Medal.[1] In 1948, he became a member of the Australian Citizens Military Forces, remaining there until 1961.
On 29 January 1946 William Adolphus Chaffey married Patricia Egerton-Warburton at Mount Barker. They would eventually have two daughters and one son.
In politics
On the death of his father, Frank Augustus Chaffey, William succeeded to his father's seat, as a member of the United Australia Party.[3] In 1941 and 1944, he was re-elected as an independent, after losing the United Australia Party pre-selection. From 1947 to 1972, he was a member of the Country Party. After an ideological split in 1972, he continued his term as an independent.[4] From 1959 to 1968, Chaffey was deputy leader of the Country Party. He was also the New South Wales Minister for Agriculture from 1965 to 1968.
Chaffey retired from politics at the New South Wales state election, 1973. He was an Honorary Vice President of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales. Chaffey died in Tamworth on 3 March 1987 and was cremated. Chaffey Dam, a large freshwater dam on the Peel River north of Tamworth, New South Wales is named after both Bill and his father Frank. He was a Freemason.
See also
References
- 1 2 "Major William Adolphus CHAFFEY". Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
- ↑ "WW2 Nominal Roll - Certificate for WILLIAM ADOLPHUS CHAFFEY". Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ↑ "NSW Elections - 1938 Results". New South Wales Parliament. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ↑ "Chaffey, William Adolphus". New South Wales - Unlocking Regional Memory. Archived from the original on 22 July 2008. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
Parliament of New South Wales | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Frank Chaffey |
Member for Tamworth 1940 – 1973 |
Succeeded by Noel Park |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded by Sir Charles Cutler |
Deputy Leader of the New South Wales Country Party 1959 – 1968 |
Succeeded by Davis Hughes |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by George Enticknap |
Minister for Agriculture 1964 – 1968 |
Succeeded by Geoff Crawford |