Robert Menzies: key people

Robert Menzies was the Prime Minister of Australia from 1939 to 1941, and 1949 to 1966.

Abbott, Joseph Palmer

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1940–49 (New England). Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Co-ordination and Minister Assisting the Minister for the Army (26 June 1941 – 29 August 1941) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Home Security (26 June 1941 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments.

Adermann, Charles Frederick

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1943–49 (Maranoa) and 1949–72 (Fisher). Minister for Primary Industry (10 December 1958 – 16 October 1967) in the second Menzies and Holt governments.

Anderson, Kenneth McColl

Liberal Party Senator for New South Wales 1953–75. Minister for Customs and Excise (10 June 1964 – 28 February 1968) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Supply (28 February 1968 – 2 August 1971) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister for Health (2 August 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government.

Anthony, John Douglas (Doug)

National-Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1957–84 (Richmond). Member of the Executive Council without Office (18 December 1963 – 4 March 1964) in the second Menzies government, Minister for the Interior (4 March 1964 – 16 October 1967) in the second Menzies and Holt governments, Minister for Primary Industry (16 October 1967 – 5 February 1971) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (5 February 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Deputy Prime Minister (11 November 1975 – 11 March 1983), Minister for Overseas Trade (11 November 1975 – 20 December 1977), Minister for Minerals and Energy (11 November 1975 – 22 December 1975), Minister for National Resources (22 December 1975 – 20 December 1977), Minister for Trade and Resources (20 December 1977 – 11 March 1983) in the Fraser government. Leader of the Country Party 1971–84, Anthony is the son of HL (Larry) and Jessie Mary Anthony, and the father of LJ (Larry) Anthony.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 55.

Anthony, Hubert Lawrence (Larry)

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1937–57 (Richmond). Minister without portfolio assisting the Treasurer (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941), minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Commerce (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941), Minister Assisting the Treasurer (26 June 1941 – 29 August 1941), Minister Assisting the Minister for Commerce (26 June 1941 – 29 August 1941) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Transport (26 June 1941 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, Postmaster-General (19 December 1949 – 11 January 1956), Minister for Civil Aviation (11 May 1951 – 9 July 1954) in the second Menzies government. Father of JD (Doug) Anthony.

Argyle, (Sir) Stanley Seymour

Victorian parliamentarian 1920–40 and United Australia Party premier of Victoria 1932–35.

Attlee, Clement Richard

Britain's Labour Prime Minister 1945–51 during the Chifley, Fadden and Menzies governments.

Barnes, Charles (Ceb) Edward

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1958–72 (McPherson). Minister for Territories (18 December 1963 – 28 February 1968) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for External Territories (28 February 1968 – 25 January 1972) in the Gorton and McMahon governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 64.

Barwick, (Sir) Garfield Edward John

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1958–64 (Parramatta). Minister for External Affairs (22 December 1961 – 24 April 1964), Attorney-General (10 December 1958 – 4 March 1964) in the second Menzies government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 651.

Beale, Oliver Howard

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1946–58 (Parramatta). Minister for Information and Minister for Transport (19 December 1949 – 17 March 1950), Minister for Supply (17 March 1950 – 10 February 1958), Minister for Defence Production (24 October 1956 – 10 February 1958) in the second Menzies government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 257.

Beasley, John (Jack) Albert

Member of the House of Representatives 1928–46 (West Sydney) for the Labor Party, except in 1931–36 when he was a member of the Lang Labor Party and 1940–41 when he was a member of the Anti-Communist Labor Party. He was assistant Minister for Industry (22 October 1929 – 3 March 1931) in the Scullin government, Minister for Supply and Development (7 October 1941 – 17 October 1942), Minister for Supply and Shipping (17 October 1942 – 2 February 1945), Vice-President of the Executive Council (2 February 1945 – 6 July 1945) in the Curtin government, Minister for Defence and Vice-President of the Executive Council (6–13 July 1945) in the Forde government, Minister for Defence (13 July 1945 – 15 August 1946) in the Chifley government. Beasley also served on the Advisory War Council 1940–45.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 84.

Bell, (Sir) George

Member of the House of Representatives (Darwin) for the Nationalist Party 1919–22 and 1925–31, and for the United Australia Party 1931–43. Chairman of Committees (17 February 1932 – 7 August 1934) and Speaker in the House of Representatives (23 October 1934 – 19 November 1940) during the Lyons, Page and Menzies governments. Bell had been a soldier in the Second South African (Boer) War and in the 1914–18 war.

Blamey, (Sir) Thomas Albert

An officer in the Australian Imperial Force in the 1914–18 war when he fought at Gallipoli, and the 1939–45 war when he had command in the Middle East, and was promoted to General. From 1942, he was commander-in-chief of the Australian Military Forces.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 66.

Bland, (Sir) Francis Armand

First professor of Public Administration at the University of Sydney 1935–47, Bland was Liberal Member of the House of Representatives 1951–61 (Warringah).

Bruce, (Lord) Stanley Melbourne

Member of the House of Representatives (Flinders) for the Nationalist Party 1918–29 and for the United Australia Party 1931–33. Treasurer (1921–23) during the Hughes government, Prime Minister 1923–29, Minister for External Affairs 1923–29, Minister for Health 1927–28, and Minister for Trade and Customs 1928. Bruce was honorary Minister in London 1932–33 during the Lyons government and High Commissioner in London 1933–45 during the Lyons, Page, Menzies, Fadden and Curtin governments.

Bunting, (Sir) John

Head of the Prime Minister's Department and Cabinet Secretary 1959–68, head of the Cabinet secretariat 1959–68, head of the Department of the Cabinet Office 1968–75, head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet 1971–75, Australian High Commissioner to London 1975–77.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 91.

Bury, Leslie Harry Ernest

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1956–74 (Wentworth). Minister for Air (22 December 1961 – 27 July 1962), Minister Assisting the Treasurer (22 December 1961 – 27 July 1962), Minister for Housing (18 December 1963 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government. Minister for Labour and Service (26 January 1966 – 12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Treasurer (12 November 1969 – 22 March 1971) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister for Foreign Affairs (22 March 1971 – 2 August 1971) in the McMahon government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 34.

Calwell, Arthur Augustus

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1940–72 (Melbourne). Minister for Information (21 September 1943 – 19 December 1949) in the Curtin, Forde and Chifley governments, Minister for Immigration (13 July 1945 – 19 December 1949) in the Chifley government. Leader of the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party 1960–67.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 82.

Cameron, Archie Galbraith

Member of the House of Representatives (Barker) for the Country Party 1934–44, Liberal Party 1944–51, Liberal Country League 1951–54 and Liberal Party 1954–56. Postmaster-General (7 November 1938 – 26 April 1939) in the Lyons and Page governments, leader of the Country Party 1939–40, then joined the United Australia Party. Minister for Commerce and Minister for the Navy (14 March 1940 – 28 October 1940) in the first Menzies government, Speaker of the House of Representatives 1950–56 during the Menzies government. Cameron had been a South Australian parliamentarian 1927–34.

Cameron, Clyde Robert

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–80 (Hindmarsh). Minister for Labour (19 December 1972 – 12 June 1974), Minister for Labour and Immigration (12 June 1974 – 6 June 1975), Minister for Science and Consumer Affairs (6 June 1975 – 11 November 1975) in the Whitlam government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 96.

Carrington, (Lord) Peter Alexander Rupert

High Commissioner to Australia 1956–59 and Britain's Foreign Secretary 1979–82 in the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher.

Carrodus, Joseph Aloysius

Head of the Department of the Interior 1935–50, Carrodus was first appointed to the new Commonwealth public service as a clerk in the Department of External Affairs on 11 August 1904. He served as private secretary to several Ministers for External Affairs including Deakin. After Army service in the 1914–18 war, Carrodus was head of the Papua New Guinea and Norfolk Island branch of the Department of Home and Territories in the 1920s.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 42.

Casey, (Lord) Richard Gardiner

Governor-General of Australia (22 September 1965 – 30 April 1969), during the governments of Robert Menzies, Harold Holt, John McEwen and John Gorton. As Australian government liaison officer in London 1924–31, Casey was a trusted adviser to Stanley Bruce, resigning in the cutbacks introduced by James Scullin in 1931. He was a United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–40 (Corio) and a Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–60 (La Trobe). Casey was assistant Treasurer (9 November 1934 – 3 October 1935), Minister in charge of development of Scientific and Industrial Research (29 November 1937 – 7 November 1938) in the Lyons government, and Treasurer (3 October 1935 – 26 April 1939) in the Lyons and Page governments. In 1941, John Curtin appointed Casey first Australian Minister to the United States, in 1942–43 he was a member of the British war cabinet, and from 1944 to 1946 Governor of Bengal. In the Menzies government, Casey was Minister for Supply and Development (26 April 1939 – 26 January 1940 and 19 December 1949 – 17 March 1950), Minister for Works and Housing (19 December 1949 – 11 May 1951), Minister for National Development (17 March 1950 – 11 May 1951), Minister in charge of the CSIRO (22 March 1950 – 4 February 1960), Minister for External Territories (26 April 1951 – 11 May 1951), and Minister for External Affairs (26 April 1951 – 4 February 1960). In 1960, he was given a peerage, and became Baron Casey of Berwick, Victoria and the City of Westminster.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 24.

Chamberlain, Arthur (Neville)

Conservative Member of the House of Commons 1918–40 and Britain's Prime Minister 1937–40 during the Lyons, Page, and Menzies governments. Neville Chamberlain was the son of Joseph Chamberlain. In 1916, like his father, he was Lord Mayor of Birmingham.

Chaney, Frederick (Fred) Charles

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1955–69 (Perth). Member of the Executive Council without Office (18 December 1963 – 4 March 1964) in the second Menzies government, Minister for the Navy (4 March 1964 – 14 December 1966) in the Menzies and Holt governments.

Chifley, Joseph Benedict (Ben)

Labor Member of the House of Representatives 1928–31 and 1940–51 (Macquarie) and Prime Minister and Treasurer (13 July 1945 – 19 December 1949). Chifley was Minister for Defence 1931–32 in the Scullin government, Treasurer 1941–45 in the Curtin and Forde governments, and Minister for Postwar Reconstruction 1942–45.

Churchill, (Sir) Winston Spencer

Member of the House of Commons 1900–29 and Britain's Prime Minister 1940–45 and 1951–55, during the Menzies, Fadden and Curtin governments.

Coles, Arthur William

Independent Member of the House of Representatives 1940–46 (Henty).

Collett, Herbert Brayley

Nationalist/United Australia Party Senator for Western Australia 1933–47. Minister without portfolio administering War Service Homes (26 April 1939 – 13 August 1940 and 28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941), minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Repatriation (14 March 1940 – 13 August 1940 and 28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941), Minister Assisting the Minister for Repatriation (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940), Vice-President of the Executive Council and Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940), Minister in charge of War Service Homes (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Repatriation (26 June 1941 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 271.

Collins, Thomas Joseph

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–43 (Hume). Postmaster-General (26 June – 29 August 1941), minister without portfolio assisting the Prime Minister dealing with External Territories and minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for the Interior (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941), Minister Assisting the Minister for Supply and Development (26 June – 29 August 1941) in the first Menzies government, Postmaster-General (29 August 1941 – 7 October 1941) in the Fadden government.

Coombs, Herbert (Nugget) Cole

Director-General of Postwar Reconstruction 1943–49, and Governor of the Commonwealth and Reserve Banks 1949–68, Coombs had been a Treasury official 1939–42 and Director of Rationing in 1942. After his retirement from the Public Service in 1968, he was chairman of the Australian Council for the Arts/Australia Council 1967–74, chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Affairs 1967–76 and second Chancellor of the Australian National University 1968–76.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 119.

Cooper, Walter Jackson

Nationalist Party Senator for Queensland 1928–32, Country Party Senator for Queensland 1935–68. Minister for Repatriation (19 December 1949 – 29 December 1960) in the second Menzies government.

Coppin, Ray

Commonwealth driver and assistant at The Lodge during the Menzies and Holt governments.

Cramer, John Oscar

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–74 (Bennelong). Minister for the Army (28 February 1956 – 18 December 1963) in the second Menzies government.

Crocker, Walter Russell

High Commissioner to India 1952–55, Ambassador to Indonesia 1955–56, High Commissioner to Canada 1956–58, High Commissioner to India and Ambassador to Nepal 1958–62, Ambassador to Netherlands and Belgium 1962–65, Ambassador to Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya 1965–67, and Ambassador to Italy 1967–70. Crocker was then Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia 1973–82.

Curtin, John Joseph

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1928–31 and 1934–45 (Fremantle), Prime Minister (1941–45), Minister for Defence Coordination (1941–42), and Minister for Defence (1942–45).

Davidson, Charles William

Liberal Member of the House of Representatives 1946–49 (Capricornia) and Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–63 (Dawson). Minister for the Navy (24 October 1956 – 10 December 1958), Postmaster-General (11 January 1956 – 18 December 1963) in the second Menzies government.

De L'Isle, (Lord) William Phillip Sydney

Governor-General of Australia 1961–65.

Deakin, Elizabeth Martha Anne (Pattie)

Prime ministerial wife 1903–04, 1905–08, and 1909–10, Pattie Deakin was active in the Deakin Liberal Party and in numerous Victorian organisations, including the Lyceum Club and the National Council of Women.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 932.

Dixon, (Sir) Owen

High Court Judge (4 February 1929 – 17 April 1952) and Chief Justice (1952–1964). During World War II, Dixon was Chairman of the Central Wool Committee (1940–42), the Shipping Control Board (1941–42), the Commonwealth Marine War Risks Insurance Board (1941–42), the Salvage Board (1942) and the Allied Consultative Shipping Council (1942), and he was Australian Minister in Washington (31 May 1942 – 26 September 1944). He also represented Australia on the Pacific War Council. After the war he was Australian representative on the council of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. In 1950, Dixon was nominated as the United Nations representative to mediate in the dispute between India and Pakistan over the states of Jammu and Kashmir.

Douglas-Home, (Sir) Alec

Britain's Conservative Prime Minister 1963–64 during the Menzies government and Foreign Secretary 1970–74 during the Gorton, McMahon and Whitlam governments.

Downer, Alexander John Gosse

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1984–2008 (Mayo). Minister for Foreign Affairs (11 March 1996 – 3 December 2007) in the Howard government. The son of AR (Alick) Downer and grandson of JW (John) and Una Downer.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 447.

Dunrossil, (Lord) William Shepherd Morrison

Governor-General of Australia 1960–61.

Eden, Robert Anthony

Conservative British parliamentarian 1923–57, Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs 1931, Minister for League of Nations Affairs 1935, Secretary of State for War 1940, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs 1935–38, 1940–45, 1951–55, and Britain's Prime Minister 1955–57.

Eggleston, (Lady) Louise Augusta

A 'Deakinite' active in the People's Liberal Party in the 1910s and a 'diplomatic wife' on her husband Frederic Eggleston's postings to China and the United States in the 1940s.

Eggleton, Anthony (Tony)

Press Secretary to Prime Ministers Robert Menzies, Harold Holt and John Gorton 1965–71.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 440.

Elizabeth II, Queen

British monarch and Queen of Australia, succeeding to the throne on the death of her father King George VI in 1952.

Evatt, Herbert (Doc) Vere

Evatt was a Justice of the High Court 1929–40, the youngest High Court judge. He was then Labor Party member of House of Representatives 1940–58 (Barton) and 1958–60 (Hunter) and Attorney-General and Minister for External Affairs (1941–49) in the Curtin, Forde and Chifley governments. Evatt was Australian delegate to the conference founding the United Nations in San Francisco in 1945, and president of the General Assembly 1948–49. He was first president of Australia's Atomic Energy Commission in 1946. Leader of the federal parliamentary Labor Party, 1951–60, Evatt then returned to the bench as Chief Justice of New South Wales 1960–62.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 7.

Fadden, Arthur William

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1936–49 (Darling Downs) and 1949–58 (McPherson). Prime Minister and Treasurer August – October 1941. Fadden was acting Prime Minister January–May 1941, Minister for Air and Minister for Civil Aviation (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940), minister without portfolio assisting the Treasurer (14 March 1940 – 14 August 1940), Minister Assisting the Treasurer (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940), minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Supply and Development (14 March 1940 – 13 August 1940), Minister Assisting the Minister for Supply and Development (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940), Treasurer (28 October 1940 – 29 August 1941) in the first Menzies government. He again served as Treasurer (19 December 1949 – 10 December 1958) in the second Menzies government.

Fairbairn, David Eric

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–75 (Farrer). Minister for Air (4 August 1962 – 10 June 1964) in the second Menzies government, Minister for National Development (10 June 1964 – 12 November 1969) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Education and Science (22 March 1971 – 20 August 1971), Minister for Defence (13 August 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 124.

Fairbairn, James Valentine

United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1933–40 (Flinders). Minister for Civil Aviation (26 April 1939 – 13 August 1940), Vice-President of the Executive Council (26 April 1939 – 26 January 1940) and Minister for Air (13 November 1939 – 13 August 1940) in the first Menzies government.

Fairhall, Allen

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–69 (Paterson). Minister for the Interior and Minister for Works (11 January 1956 – 10 December 1958), Minister for Supply (22 December 1961 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Defence (26 January 1966 – 12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 37.

Foll, Hattil Spencer

Senator for Queensland for the Nationalist Party 1917–31 and for the United Australia Party 1931–47, Minister in charge of War Service Homes (29 November 1937 – 7 November 1938), Minister for Repatriation (29 November 1937 – 26 April 1939), and Minister for Health (7 November 1938 – 26 April 1939) in the Lyons and Page governments. He served as Minister for the Interior (26 April 1939 – 29 August 1941) and Minister for Information (13 December 1940 – 29 August 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments.

Forbes, Alexander James (Jim)

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1956–75 (Barker). Minister for the Navy (18 December 1963 – 4 March 1964), Minister for the Army (18 December 1963 – 26 January 1966), Minister Assisting the Treasurer (18 December 1963 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Health (26 January 1966 – 22 March 1971) in the Holt, McEwen, Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister for Immigration (22 March 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 140.

Forde, Francis (Frank) Michael

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1922–46 (Capricornia). Assistant Minister for Customs (22 October 1929 – 4 February 1931), Trade and Customs (4 February 1931 – 6 January 1932), Prime Minister (6 July 1945 – 13 July 1945) and Minister for the Army (7 October 1941 – 1 November 1946) in the Curtin and Chifley governments as well as his own, Minister for Defence (15 August 1946 – 1 November 1946) in the Chifley government.

Francis, (Sir) Josiah

Member of the House of Representatives (Moreton) for the Nationalist Party 1922–31, United Australia Party 1931–44, Liberal Party 1944–55. Assistant Minister for Defence and Minister in charge of War Service Homes (6 January 1932 – 12 October 1934), minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Repatriation (12 October 1934 – 9 November 1934) in the Lyons government, Minister for the Army (19 December 1951 – 7 November 1955) and Minister for the Navy (19 December 1949 – 11 May 1951, 9 July 1954 – 7 November 1955) in the second Menzies government, Australian Consul-General in New York (1 March 1956 – 11 December 1960).

Fraser, John Malcolm

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1955–83 (Wannon) and Prime Minister 1975–83. Minister for the Army (26 January 1966 – 28 February 1968) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Education and Science (28 February 1968 – 12 November 1969), Minister for Defence (12 November 1969 – 8 March 1971) in the Gorton government, Minister for Education and Science (20 August 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government.

Freeth, Gordon

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–69 (Forrest). Minister for the Interior and Minister for Works (10 December 1958 – 18 December 1963), Minister Assisting the Attorney-General (22 December 1961 – 27 July 1962) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Shipping and Transport (18 December 1963 – 28 February 1968) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Air (28 February 1968 – 13 February 1969), Minister Assisting the Treasurer (28 February 1968 – 13 February 1969), Minister for External Affairs (11 February 1969 – 12 November 1969) in the Gorton government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 45.

Gair, Vincent (Vince) Clare

Democratic Labor Party Senator for Queensland 1964–74. Gair was a Queensland parliamentarian 1932–60 and Labor Premier of Queensland 1952–57. After he was expelled from the Labor Party in 1957, his Queensland Labor Party joined with other splinter groups in 1962 to form the Democratic Labor Party. Gair was leader of the federal parliamentary Democratic Labor Party from 1964 until 1974, when he was appointed Ambassador to Ireland.

George V, King

Grandson of Queen Victoria, son of King Edward VII, as Duke of York opened first Commonwealth parliament in 1901, with Queen Mary British monarch 1910–36.

George VI, King

Son of George V and Queen Mary, as Duke of York opened first Parliament House Canberra in 1927, succeeded to throne on abdication of his brother Edward VIII, with Queen Elizabeth British monarch 1936–52.

Gloucester (Duke of), Henry William Frederick Albert

Governor-General of Australia (30 January 1945 – 11 March 1947) during the Curtin, Forde and Chifley governments. During his time in office, he travelled extensively throughout Australia before returning to England to perform his official duties.

Goodwin, (Colonel) John Thomas Hill

Commonwealth Surveyor-General (1916–24) and officer in-charge of the Federal Capital Territory (1916–24), member of the Federal Capital Advisory Committee (1921–25), elected member of the Australian Capital Territory Advisory Council (1931–43).

Gorton, John Grey

Liberal Party Senator for Victoria 1950–68 and Member of the House of Representatives 1968–75 (Higgins), Gorton was Prime Minister in 1968–71. Minister for Education and Science (1966–68) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for the Navy (1958–63), minister assisting the Minister for External Affairs (1960–63), Minister in charge of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (1962–63), Minister for the Interior (1963–64) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Works (1963–67), Minister in charge of Commonwealth Activities in Education and Research under the Prime Minister (1963–66) in the second Menzies and Holt governments, Minister for Defence (1971) in the McMahon government.

Gowrie (Lord), (Sir) Alexander Gore Arkwright Hore-Ruthven

Governor-General of Australia (23 January 1936 – 30 January 1945) during the Lyons, Page, Menzies, Fadden and Curtin governments. An experienced soldier, Lord Gowrie had been Governor of South Australia (14 May 1928 – 26 April 1934), and Governor of New South Wales (21 February 1935 – 22 January 1936).

Green, Francis (Frank) Clifton

Clerk of House of Representatives (23 March 1937 – 25 June 1955). A childhood friend of Joseph Lyons, Green had been Clerk Assistant in the Tasmanian parliament (1911–21), and in the House of Representatives Clerk of Papers (1921–25), Clerk of Records (1925–27), Clerk Assistant (1927–37).

Gullett, (Sir) Henry Somer

Nationalist-United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1925–40 (Henty), Minister for Trade and Customs (24 November 1928 – 22 October 1929). In the Bruce–Page government and in the Lyons government, Minister for Trade and Customs (6 January 1932 – 14 January 1933), and minister without portfolio directing negotiations for Trade Treaties (12 October – 11 March 1937). Gullett accompanied Stanley Bruce to the Imperial Economic Conference in Ottawa in 1932. In the first Menzies government, Gullett was Minister for External Affairs (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940) and Minister for Information (12 September 1939 – 14 March 1940), and Vice-President of Executive Council (14 March 1940 – 13 August 1940), Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research (14 March 1940 – 13 August 1940), and Minister Assisting the Minister for Information (14 March – 13 August 1940). Gullett had been an Australian war correspondent 1915–18. He was 1 of the 3 Cabinet ministers killed in an air crash at Canberra on 13 August 1940.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 530.

Harrison, (Sir) Eric John

Member of the House of Representatives (Wentworth) for the United Australia Party 1931–44 and for the Liberal Party 1944–56. Minister for the Interior (12 October – 9 November 1934) in the Lyons government. He served as assistant minister without portfolio assisting the Prime Minister and administrating External Territories (8 November 1938 – 26 April 1939) in the Lyons and Page governments, Post-master General (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940), Minister for Repatriation (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940), Minister for Trade and Customs (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, Deputy Leader of the Opposition (4 April 1944 – 19 December 1949), Minister for Defence (19 December 1949 – 24 October 1950), Minister for Post-War Reconstruction (19 December 1949 – 17 March 1950), Australian Resident Minister in London (23 April 1950 – 30 March 1951), Minister for the Interior (24 October 1950 – 11 May 1951), Vice-President of the Executive Council (11 May 1951 – 24 October 1956), Minister for Defence Production (11 May 1951 – 24 October 1956), Minister in charge of Royal Visit (1954), Minister for the Navy (7 November 1955 – 11 January 1956), Minister for the Army (7 November 1955 – 28 February 1956) in the second Menzies government. In 1954, Harrison was Minister in charge of the Royal Tour of Australia, and was Australian High Commissioner in London (25 October 1956–1964).

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 648.

Hasluck, Paul Meernaa Caedwalla

Governor-General of Australia 1969–74. Hasluck was a Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–69 (Curtin) and served as Minister for Territories (11 May 1951 – 18 December 1963), Minister for Defence (18 December 1963 – 24 August 1964) in the second Menzies government, and Minister for External Affairs (24 April 1964 – 11 February 1969) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 115.

Heagney, Muriel Agnes

A founding member of the Labor Party in Victoria, delegate to the Labor women’s central organising committee in 1909 and attended the first Victorian Labor Women’s Conference. Heagney was trade union investigator to the Hughes government’s basic wage royal commission in 1919–20, and prepared the cost-of-living schedules for the Clothing Trades Union’s submission to the uniform basic wage case before the Conciliation and Arbitration Court. In 1937, a founder of New South Wales Council of Action for Equal Pay. In 1955, secretary of the Labor women’s central organising committee and ex officio member of the Victorian Labor Party central executive.

Henty, Norman Henry Denham

Liberal Party Senator for Tasmania 1950–68. Minister for Customs and Excise (24 October 1956 – 10 June 1964), Minister for Civil Aviation (10 June 1964 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Supply (26 January 1966 – 28 February 1968) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 215.

Hewitt, (Sir) Cyrus Lenox Simpson

Head of 3 Commonwealth departments Prime Minister’s Department 1968–71, Department of the Environment, Aborigines and the Arts 1971–72 , and Department of Minerals and Energy 1972–75, Lenox Hewitt's first senior post was assistant secretary in the Commonwealth Prices Branch 1939–46, then Economist, Department of Postwar Reconstruction 1946–49. He was acting deputy High Commissioner in London 1950–53, Assistant Secretary in Treasury 1953–55, first Assistant Secretary in Treasury 1955–62, Deputy Secretary in Treasury 1962–66, and chairman of the Australian Universities Commission 1967–68. Lenox Hewitt was subsequently chairman of QANTAS and of the Snowy Mountains Council, and a member of the Australian Atomic Energy Commission.

Holt, Harold Edward

Member of the House of Representatives for the United Australia Party 1935–44 and the Liberal Party 1944–49 (Fawkner), Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–67 (Higgins) and Prime Minister 1966–67. He was minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Supply and Development (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940), minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Trade and Customs (23 February 1940 – 14 March 1940), Minister in charge of Scientific and Industrial Research (28 October 1940 – 29 August 1941) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Labour and National Service (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941 and 19 December 1949 – 10 December 1958) in both the Menzies and Fadden governments, Minister for Immigration (19 December 1949 – 24 October 1956) and Treasurer (10 December 1958 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government.

Howson, Peter

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1955–69 (Fawkner) and 1969–72 (Casey). Minister for Air (10 June 1964 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Air and Minister Assisting the Treasurer (26 January 1966 – 28 February 1968) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister in charge of Tourist Activities (31 May 1971 – 5 December 1972), Minister for Environment, Aborigines and the Arts (31 May 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government.

Hughes, William Morris

Member of the House of Representatives 1901–17 (West Sydney), 1917–22 (Bendigo), 1922–49 (North Sydney) and 1949–52 (Bradfield). Hughes was a member of the Labor Party 1901–17, the Nationalist Party 1917–29, an ‘Independent Nationalist’ 1929–31, United Australia Party 1931–44, Liberal Party 1944–52. Prime Minister (1915–23), Hughes still holds the record as Australia’s longest serving parliamentarian. He was a Minister in the governments of Watson (1904), Fisher (1908–09, 1910–13 and 1914–15), Lyons (1932–39), Page (Attorney-General, Minister for Industry and Minister for External Affairs (7 April 1939 – 26 April 1939), Menzies (Attorney-General 26 April 1939 – 29 August 1941, Minister for Industry 26 April 1939 – 28 October 1940, Minister for the Navy 28 October 1940 – 29 August 1941), and Fadden (continuing as Attorney-General and Minister for the Navy 29 August 1941 – 7 October 1941). During the term of his own government he also served as Attorney-General (27 October 1915 – 21 December 1921), Minister for Trade and Customs (29 September 1916 – 14 November 1916), Minister for External Affairs (21 December 1921 – 9 February 1923). As a New South Wales parliamentarian 1894–1901, Hughes was a founding member of the Labor Party in New South Wales. He became a founding member of the Nationalist Party in 1917, the United Australia Party in 1931, and the Liberal Party in 1945.

Hulme, Alan Shallcross

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–61 and 1963–72 (Petrie). Minister for Supply (10 December 1958 – 22 December 1961) in the second Menzies government, Postmaster-General (18 December – 5 December 1972) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen, Gorton and McMahon governments, Vice-President of the Executive Council (26 January 1966 – 5 December 1972) in the Holt, McEwen, Gorton and McMahon governments.

Jamieson, Stewart

Australia’s first Ambassador to Sweden 1963–64. Jamieson was Ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1962–63, Ambassador to Brazil 1960–62, and Australian High Commissioner to Ghana 1957–60. He had been head of Australia’s diplomatic missions in San Francisco 1952–55, New York 1955–56, and Dublin 1956–57. In 1938, he was special correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald in the Balkans and in the Soviet Union.

Kemp, Charles Denton

As economic adviser to the Institute of Public Affairs, Victoria, Kemp’s ‘Looking Forward’ paper influenced the policy direction of the new Liberal Party in 1944. He was director of the Institute of Public Affairs 1948–76.

Kent Hughes, (Sir) Wilfrid Selwyn

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–70 (Chisholm). Minister for the Interior (11 May 1951 – 11 January 1956), Minister for Works and Housing (11 May 1951 – 4 June 1952), Minister for Works (4 June 1952 – 11 January 1956) in the second Menzies government.

Keynes (Lord), John Maynard

British economist. Lecturer in Economics at Cambridge (1908–15), editor of the Economic Journal (1912–45), author of The Economic Consequences of Peace (1919), A Treatise on Money (1930), and General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money (1936). His theories became the foundation of modern economics. After World War II, he was closely involved in the Bretton Woods Conference that established the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Khrushchev, Nikita

Premier of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 1958–64.

Kirby, (Sir) Richard Clarence

Inaugural president of the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission 1956–73.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 960.

Lampe, Frederick Ernest

A Melbourne businessman, Lampe was a foundation member of the Institute of Public Affairs in 1943 and involved in the formation of the Australian Ballet in 1942.

Lang, John (Jack) Thomas

Labor Member of the House of Representatives 1946–49 (Reid). Lang had been a New South Wales parliamentarian 1913–46 and was state Premier 1925–27. He formed a ‘Lang Labor’ splinter group that split the federal parliamentary party in the 1930s.

Latham, (Sir) John Greig

Nationalist-United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1922–34 (Kooyong), Latham was Attorney-General (18 December 1925 – 22 October 1929) in the Bruce–Page government, and from 6 January 1932 – 12 October 1934 in the Lyons government. He was Leader of the Nationalist Party Opposition 1929–31 during the Scullin government. From 1935 until 1952, Latham was Chief Justice of the High Court, with an interval in 1940–41 when he was Australian Minister to Japan. Latham had been a member of the Australian delegation to the Versailles peace conference in 1919.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 148.

Lawson, John Norman

United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–40 (Macquarie). Minister for Trade and Customs (26 April 1939 – 23 February 1940) in the first Menzies government.

Leckie, John William

Nationalist Party Member of the House of Representatives 1917–19 (Indi), United Australia Party-Liberal Senator for Victoria 1935–47, minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Trade and Customs and minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Labour and National Service (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941), Minister Assisting the Minister for Munitions (26 June 1941 – 29 August 1941) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Aircraft Production (26 June 1941 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments. Father of Pattie Menzies.

Lyons, Joseph Aloysius

Labor Member of the House of Representatives 1929–31 and United Australia Party member 1931–39 (Wilmot), Postmaster-General and Minister for Works and Railways 1929–31 in the Scullin government, Prime Minister 1932–39, Treasurer 1932–35, Minister for Health, and Repatriation 1935–36. Lyons had been a Tasmanian parliamentarian 1909–28 and was state Premier 1923–28.

Lyons, (Dame) Enid Muriel

United Australia Party-Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1943–51 (Darwin), Vice-President of the Executive Council (19 December 1949 – 7 March 1951) in the Menzies government and the first female Minister in the federal government. Dame Enid Lyons was prime ministerial spouse 1932–39.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 928.

Macmillan, Harold

Conservative Member of the House of Commons 1924–64 and Britain’s Prime Minister 1957–63.

Makin, Norman John Oswald

Labor member of House of Representatives 1919–46 (Hindmarsh), 1954–55 (Sturt), and 1955–63 (Bonython). Speaker of House of Representatives 1929–32. Makin was Secretary to the federal parliamentary Labor Party 1934–41, and a member of the Advisory War Council 1940–45. In the Curtin, Forde and Chifley governments, he was Minister for the Navy and Minister for Munitions (7 October 1941 – 15 August 1946), Minister for Aircraft Production (2 February 1945 – 15 August 1946). Makin was Australia’s first Ambassador to the United States (4 September 1946 – 27 April 1951), and was awarded the Order of Australia in 1980.

McBride, Philip Albert Martin

United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–37 (Grey), United Australia Party Senator for South Australia 1937–44, Liberal Party member of the House of Representatives 1946–58 (Wakefield). Minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Commerce (26 April 1939 – 13 August 1940), Minister Assisting the Minister for Commerce (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940), Minister for the Army and Minister for Repatriation (14 August 1940 – 28 October 1940), Minister for Supply and Development (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Munitions (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, Minister for Defence (24 October 1950 – 10 December 1958), Minister for the Interior (19 December 1949 – 24 October 1950), Minister for the Navy (11 May 1951 – 17 July 1951), Minister for Air (11 May 1951 – 17 July 1951) in the second Menzies government.

McDonald, Allan McKenzie

United Australia-Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1940–53 (Corangamite). Minister assisting the Minister of the Interior (26 June 1941 – 29 August 1941) in the first Menzies government, Minister for External Territories (26 June 1941 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments.

McEwen, John

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1934–37 (Echuca) 1937–49 (Indi), 1949–71 (Murray) and Party leader 1956–71. Prime Minister (19 December 1967 – 10 January 1968), Minister for Trade and Industry (19 December 1967 – 10 January 1968), Minister for the Interior (29 November 1937 – 26 April 1939) in the Lyons and Page governments, Minister for External Affairs (14 March 1940 – 28 October 1940), Minister for Air and Minister for Civil Aviation (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, Minister for Commerce and Agriculture (19 December 1949 – 11 January 1956), Minister for Trade (11 January 1956 – 18 December 1963), Minister for Trade and Industry (18 December 1963 – 5 February 1971) in the second Menzies, Holt and Gorton governments, Deputy Prime Minister (10 January 1968 – 5 February 1971) in the Gorton government.

McKell, (Sir) William John

Governor-General of Australia 1947–53.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 954.

McKellar, Gerald Colin

Country Party Senator for New South Wales 1958–70. Minister for Repatriation (22 December 1964 – 12 November 1969) in the second Menzies, Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 75.

McKenna, Francis (Frank) Joseph

Briefly assistant private secretary to Prime Minister Hughes, McKenna was appointed secretary of the Prime Minister's Office in Canberra in 1927. He was private secretary to Prime Minister Lyons 1933–35, and deputy secretary of the Prime Minister’s Department 1952–55.

McLeay, George

United Australia-Liberal Party Senator for South Australia 1935–47 and 1950–55. Vice-President of the Executive Council (7 April 1939–26 April 1939) in the Page government, Minister for Commerce (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940), Minister for Trade and Customs (14 March 1940 – 28 October 1940), Postmaster-General (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941), Minister for Repatriation (28 October 1940 – 26 June 1941) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Supply and Development (26 June 1941 – 7 October 1941), Vice-President of the Executive Council (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, Minister for Shipping and Fuel (19 December 1949 – 17 March 1950), Minister for Fuel, Shipping and Transport (17 March 1950 – 11 May 1951), Minister for Shipping and Transport (11 May 1951 – 14 September 1955) in the second Menzies government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 206.

McMahon, (Sir) William

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–82 (Lowe). Prime Minister (10 March 1971 – 5 December 1972), Minister for Foreign Affairs (6 November 1970 – 22 March 1971) in the Gorton government and his own, Minister for the Navy and Minister for Air (17 July 1951 – 9 July 1954), Minister for Social Services (9 July 1954 – 28 February 1956), Minister for Primary Industry (11 January 1956 – 10 December 1958), Minister for Labour and National Service (10 December 1958 – 26 January 1966), Vice-President of the Executive Council (10 June 1964 – 26 January 1966) in the second Menzies government, Treasurer (26 January 1966 –12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for External Affairs (12 November 1969 – 6 November 1970) in the Gorton government.

Menzies, (Dame) Pattie

Prime ministerial spouse 1939–41 and 1949–66.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 939.

Murdoch, (Sir) Keith Arthur

Newspaper proprietor and founder of the Australian Journalists Association (1910), the cable service Australian Associated Press (1935), and Australian Newsprint Mills (1938). David Syme had given Murdoch a job on the Age newspaper in 1904, and in 1908 Alfred Deakin, then Prime Minister, provided him with letters of introduction in London. As Commonwealth parliamentary reporter for the Age 1910–12, he became a friend of Andrew Fisher and William Hughes. Political correspondent for the Sydney Sun from 1912, he was transferred to London in 1915 and secretly reported to Fisher from Gallipoli on the mismanagement of the Anzac campaign. He was the only Australian journalist at the peace conference at Versailles in 1919, and returned to Melbourne as chief editor of the Herald in 1920. With financial support from Clive Baillieu and others, by 1935 he had acquired newspapers in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, and 11 commercial radio stations. In 1940, Robert Menzies appointed him wartime director-general of information, a short-lived post. He retired in 1949 and died in 1952, leaving his media holdings to his son Keith Rupert Murdoch.

Nasser, Gamal Abdel

Prime Minister of Egypt 1954–56 and President of Egypt 1956–70.

Nock, Horace Keyworth

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–40 (Riverina). Minister without portfolio in charge of External Territories, minister without portfolio assisting the Prime Minister and minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for the Interior (14 March 1940 – 28 October 1940) in the first Menzies government.

O’Sullivan, (Sir) Neil

Liberal Party Senator for Queensland 1947–62. Minister for Trade and Customs (19 December 1949 – 11 January 1956), Vice-President of the Executive Council (24 October 1956 – 10 December 1958), Minister for the Navy (11 January 1956 – 24 October 1956), Attorney-General (15 August 1956 – 10 December 1958) in the second Menzies government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 144.

Officer, (Sir) Frank Keith

Australian Ambassador in Paris (1950–55), Australian Ambassador in Nanking [Nanjing] (1948–49), Australian representative in the Netherlands (1946–48), Australian representative in South East Asia (1946), Australian counsellor in the British Embassy, Washington (1937–40), the second Australian government liaison officer in London (1933–37), succeeding Richard Casey. Officer, a former British colonial official, had been recruited by Richard Casey for the External Affairs Branch in 1927, serving in Melbourne until 1933.

Opperman, Hubert Ferdinand (Oppie)

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1947–67 (Corio). Minister for Shipping and Transport (5 February 1960 – 18 December 1963), Minister for Air (10 December 1958 – 29 December 1960) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Immigration (18 December 1963 – 14 December 1966) in the second Menzies and Holt governments.

Osborne, Frederick Meares

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–61 (Evans). Minister for Air (24 October 1956 – 10 December 1958), Minister for Customs and Excise (11 January 1956 – 24 October 1956), Minister for Repatriation (29 December 1960 – 22 December 1961) in the second Menzies government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 143.

Page, (Sir) Earle Christmas Grafton

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1919–61 (Cowper). Prime Minister 7–26 April 1939, Page was Treasurer and deputy Prime Minister in the Bruce–Page government (9 February 1923 – 22 October 1929), Minister for Commerce in the Lyons government (9 November 1934 – 26 April 1939) and also Minister for Health (29 November 1937 – 7 November 1938). Page was also Minister for Commerce (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments, and Minister for Health (19 December 1949 – 11 January 1956) in the Menzies government.

Paltridge, Shane Dunne

Liberal Party Senator for Western Australia 1951–66. Minister for Shipping and Transport (27 September 1955 – 5 February 1960), Minister for Civil Aviation (24 October 1956 – 10 June 1964), Minister for Defence (24 August 1964 – 19 January 1966) in the second Menzies government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 517.

Paterson, Thomas

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1922–43 (Gippsland), Minister for Markets and Migration (18 June 1926 – 19 January 1928), Minister for Markets (19 January – 10 December 1928) and Minister for Markets and Transport (10 December 1928 – 22 October 1929) in the Bruce–Page government, and Minister for the Interior (9 November 1934 – 29 November 1937) in Lyons government. The ‘Paterson Plan’, a bounty for export butter, operated from 1926–33 giving £20 million to the depressed dairy industry.

Perkins, John Arthur

Nationalist Member of the House of Representatives 1926–29 and United Australia Party member 1931–43 (Eden-Monaro). Government Whip (1929), assistant Minister for Trade and Customs (6 January – 13 October 1932), Minister for the Interior (13 October 1932 – 12 October 1934), minister without portfolio assisting the Minister for Trade and Customs (29 November 1937 – 7 November 1939), and Minister for Trade and Customs (8 November 1938 – 26 April 1939) in the Lyons, Page and first Menzies governments. He served as minister without portfolio administering External Territories (26 April 1939 – 14 March 1940) in the first Menzies government. Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly (Goulburn) November 1921 (casual vacancy) – January 1926.

Petrov, Vladimir

With Evdokia Petrov an intelligence officer at the Soviet Embassy in Canberra until both defected in 1954, triggering a Royal Commission into Soviet espionage in Australia.

Rahman, Tunku Abdul

First Prime Minister of Malaya 1955–63 and of Malaysia 1963–71.

Reid, Alan

A member of the parliamentary press gallery in the 1930s, Reid wrote for the Sydney Sun in the 1930s and 1940s, then for Frank Packer’s Daily Telegraph.

Ricketson, Staniforth

Melbourne financier, former journalist and friend of Joseph Lyons. A member of the Melbourne Stock Exchange and partner of JB Were & Son, he formed the committee known as ‘The Group’ instrumental in the formation of the United Australia Party (UAP). He served on the Committee of the Stock Exchange of Melbourne (1942–46) and influenced the formation of the Reserve Bank of Australia in 1959.

Roberton, Hugh Stevenson

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–65 (Riverina). Minister for Social Services (28 February 1956 – 21 January 1965) in the second Menzies government.

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano

Democratic Party President of the United States of America 1933–45.

Rosevear, John Solomon (Sol)

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–53 (Dalley), Speaker of the House of Representatives 22 June 1943 – 21 February 1950.

Scullin, James Henry

Member of the House of Representatives 1910–13 and 1922–49 (Yarra). Prime Minister, Minister for External Affairs and Minister for Industry 1929–32, Treasurer 1930–31.

Shedden, (Sir) Frederick

Australia’s liaison officer in London 1932–36, and head of the Department of Defence 1937–56. Shedden accompanied Curtin, then Chifley, then Menzies on all major prime ministerial visits overseas in 1941, 1944, 1946, 1951 and 1955.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 320.

Sinclair, Ian McCahon

National-Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1963–98 (New England). Minister for Social Services (22 February 1965 – 28 February 1968) in the second Menzies, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister Assisting the Minister of Trade and Industry (14 December 1966 – 5 February 1971) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Shipping and Transport (28 February 1968 – 5 February 1971) in the Gorton government, Minister for Primary Industry (5 February 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister for Agriculture (11 November 1975 – 22 December 1975), Minister for Northern Australia (11 November 1975 – 22 December 1975), Minister for Primary Industry (22 December 1975 – 27 September 1979), Minister for Special Trade Representation (19 August 1980 – 3 November 1980), Minister for Communication (3 November 1980 – 7 May 1982), Minister for Defence (7 May 1982 – 11 March 1983) in the Fraser government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 426.

Slim, (Sir) William Joseph

Governor-General of Australia 1953–60

Snedden, (Sir) Billy Mackie

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1955–83 (Bruce). Member of the Executive Council without Office (18 December 1963 – 4 March 1964) in the second Menzies government, Attorney-General (4 March 1964 – 14 December 1966) in the second Menzies and Holt governments, Minister for Immigration (14 December 1966 – 12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for Labour and National Service (12 November 1969 – 22 March 1971) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Treasurer (22 March 1971 – 5 December 1972) in the McMahon government. Leader of the Opposition (20 December 1972 – 21 March 1975).

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 77.

Spender, Percy Claude

Independent-United Australia Party-Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1937–51 (Warringah). Vice-President of the Executive Council (26 January 1940 – 14 March 1940), minister without Portfolio assisting the Treasurer (26 April 1939 – 3 November 1939), Treasurer (14 March 1940 – 28 October 1940) in the first Menzies government; Minister for the Army (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments and a member of the Advisory War Council; Minister for External Affairs (19 December 1949 – 26 April 1951) in the second Menzies government. In 1950–51 Spender was vice President of the 5th United Nations General Assembly in New York, and was Australia’s Ambassador to the United States 1951–58. Spender was president of the International Court of Justice at The Hague in 1964–70.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 692.

Spicer, John Armstrong

Liberal Party Senator for Victoria 1940–44 and 1950–56. Attorney-General (19 December 1949 – 14 August 1956) and Minister for Shipping and Transport (15 September 1955 – 27 September 1955) in the second Menzies government.

Spooner, (Sir) William Henry

Liberal Party Senator for New South Wales 1950–65. Minister for Social Services (19 December 1949 – 11 May 1951), Minister for National Development (11 May 1951 – 10 June 1964), Vice-President of the Executive Council (10 December 1958 – 10 June 1964) in the second Menzies government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 246.

Spooner, Eric Sydney

United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1940–43 (Robertson). Minister for War Organisation of Industry (26 June 1941 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments.

Spry, Charles

Director-General of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) 1950–70. A Duntroon graduate and decorated World War II officer, Spry was initially seconded from military intelligence.

Stevens, Bertram Sydney Barnsdale

Premier New South Wales 1939.

Stewart, (Sir) Frederick Harold

United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–46 (Parramatta), Minister for Commerce (13 October 1932 – 9 November 1934) in the Lyons government. He served as Minister for Supply and Development (26 January 1940 – 28 October 1940), Minister for the Navy (13 November 1939 – 14 March 1940) in the first Menzies government, Minister for Health (26 April 1939 – 7 October 1941), Minister for Social Services (26 April 1939 – 7 October 1941), Minister for External Affairs (28 October 1940 – 7 October 1941) in the first Menzies and Fadden governments. Stewart founded Australian National Airways with Charles Kingsford Smith and Charles Ulm.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 228.

Stirling, Alfred Thorpe

Private Secretary to Attorney-General, Robert Menzies (1934–36), Assistant External Affairs Officer in London (1936), External Affairs Officer in London (30 April 1937 – 12 July 1945). Stirling was High Commissioner in Ottawa (13 July 1945 – 12 January 1947), Minister in Washington (13 January 1947 – 10 April 1948), High Commissioner in Pretoria and Cape Town (23 August 1948 – 17 May 1950), Ambassador at The Hague (1950–6 March 1955), and Ambassador in Paris (20 May 1955 – 16 February 1959), in Manila (6 July 1959 – 14 August 1962), in Rome (25 September 1962 – 7 November 1967), and in Athens (7 May 1964 – 20 June 1965).

Street, Geoffrey Austin

United Australia Party Member of the House of Representatives 1934–40 (Corangamite), Minister for Defence (7 November 1938 – 13 November 1939) in the Lyons, Page and first Menzies governments, Minister for the Army (13 November 1939 – 13 August 1940) and Minister for Repatriation (14 March 1940 – 13 August 1940) in the first Menzies government. Street was killed in the Canberra air disaster on 13 August 1940.

Swartz, (Sir) Reginald (Reg) William Colin

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–72 (Darling Downs). Minister for Repatriation (22 December 1961 – 22 December 1964), Minister for Health (21 November 1964 – 26 January 1966), Minister for Social Services (21 January 1965 – 22 February 1965) in the second Menzies government, Minister for Civil Aviation (26 January 1966 – 12 November 1969) in the Holt, McEwen and Gorton governments, Minister for National Development (12 November 1969 – 5 December 1972) in the Gorton and McMahon governments, Minister Assisting the Treasurer (13 February 1969 – 12 November 1969) in the Gorton government.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 68.

Thorby, Harold Victor Campbell

Country Party Member of the House of Representatives 1931–40 (Calare), minister without portfolio in charge of War Service Homes (9 November 1934 – 29 November 1937), Minister Assisting the Minister for Repatriation (9 November 1934 – 1 September 1935), Minister Assisting the Minister for Commerce (1 September 1935 – 29 November 1937), Minister for Defence (29 November 1937 – 7 November 1938) in the Lyons government, Minister for Works and Minister for Civil Aviation (24 November 1938 – 26 April 1939) in the Lyons and Page governments. He served as Postmaster-General and Minister for Health (14 March 1940 – 28 October 1940) in the first Menzies government. Thorby had been a New South Wales parliamentarian 1922–30.

Townley, Athol Gordon

Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1949–63 (Denison). Minister for Air (9 July 1954 – 24 October 1956), Minister for Civil Aviation (9 July 1954 – 24 October 1956), Minister for Social Services (11 May 1951 – 9 July 1954), Minister for Defence Production (11 February 1958 – 23 April 1958), Minister for Immigration (24 October 1956 – 19 March 1958), Minister for Supply (10 February 1958 – 10 December 1958), Minister for Defence (10 December 1958 – 18 December 1963) in the second Menzies government.

Tracey, Ray

Prime Minister’s driver and assistant at The Lodge 1930s–1950s.

Truman, Harry S

Democrat President of the United States of America 1945–53.

Wade, Harrie Walter

Country Party Senator for Victoria 1955–64. Minister for Health (22 December 1961 – 18 November 1964), Minister for Air (29 December 1960 – 22 December 1961) in the second Menzies government.

Ward, Edward (Eddie) John

Member of the House of Representatives (East Sydney) for the Labor Party in 1931, for the Lang Labor Party in 1932–36, and for the Labor Party 1936–63. Minister for Labour and National Service (7 October 1941 – 21 September 1943) in the Curtin government, Minister for Transport and Minister for External Territories (21 September 1943 – 19 December 1949) in the Curtin, Forde and Chifley governments.

White, (Sir) Brudenell

Chief of the General Staff, killed in Canberra air disaster on 13 August 1940.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 10.

White, (Sir) Thomas Walter

Nationalist-United Australia Party-Liberal Party Member of the House of Representatives 1929–51 (Balaclava), Minister for Trade and Customs (14 January 1933 – 8 November 1938) in the Lyons government, Minister for Air and for Civil Aviation (19 December 1949 – 11 May 1951) in the second Menzies government, and High Commissioner in London 1951–56. White was the husband of Vera, youngest daughter of Alfred and Pattie Deakin.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 145.

Whitlam, Edward Gough

Labor Party Member of the House of Representatives 1952–78 (Werriwa). Prime Minister (5 December 1972 – 11 November 1975), Minister for Foreign Affairs, Treasurer, Attorney-General, Minister for Customs and Excise, Minister for Trade and Industry, Minister for Shipping and Transport, Minister for Education and Science, Minister for Civil Aviation, Minister for Housing, Minister for Works, Minister for External Territories, Minister for Environment, Aborigines and the Arts (5 December 1972 – 19 December 1972) in his first 2-man ministry, Minister for Foreign Affairs (19 December 1972 – 6 November 1973), Minister for Environment (2 July 1975 – 14 July 1975).

Wilson, Alexander (Alex)

Country Party-Independent Member of the House of Representatives 1937–45 (Wimmera).

Wilson, (Sir) Harold

Labour Member of the House of Commons 1945–76 and Britain’s Prime Minister 1964–70 and 1974–76. Entered the House of Lords as Lord Wilson of Rievaulx in 1983.

Yeend, (Sir) Geoffrey

Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet 1978-86. Yeend joined the Public Service in 1945, and worked in the Department of Postwar Reconstruction and Department of the Prime Minister, then as private secretary to the Prime Minister in 1952–55 and Assistant Secretary at the Australian High Commission in London 1958–60, before returning to the Prime Minister's Department.

National Archives of Australia Commonwealth Person CP 982.