Personal profile

Born

13 April 1894, Ingham, Queensland

Education

Walkerston State School, Queensland

Employment

• accountant
• politician

Memberships

• Commonwealth Institute of Accountants (1921-73)
• Freemasons

Marriage

27 December 1916, Mackay, Queensland

Children

• Nita Elizabeth (Betty) (1917)
• Mavis Thornber (1919)
• Gordon William (1922)
• John Richard (1924)

Died

21 April 1973, Toowong, Queensland

Buried

Cremated, Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens, Brisbane

Honours

• Fellow of the Commonwealth Institute of Accountants (1928)
• Privy Councillor (1942)
• Knight Commander, Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG; 1951)
• Knight Grand Cross, Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG; 1958)

Partner

Name

Ilma Nita Fadden

Previous name

Ilma Nita Thornber

Born

Mackay, Queensland

Memberships

• Country Women’s Association
• Young Women’s Christian Association

Died

14 May 1987, Toowong, Brisbane

Buried

Cremated

Political profile

Term as Prime Minister

29 August to 7 October 1941

Terms as Member of Parliament

• Queensland Legislative Assembly: 1932-35 (Kennedy)
• House of Representatives:
  • February 1937 to 10 December 1949 (Darling Downs)
  • 22 February 1950 to 14 October 1958 (McPherson)
• Leader of the Opposition: October 1941 to September 1943
• Advisory War Council: 29 October 1940 to 31 August 1945

Portfolios

• Assisting Treasurer: 14 March to 28 October 1940
• Assisting Supply and Development: 14 March to 28 October 1940
• Air: 14 August to 28 October 1940
• Civil Aviation: 14 August to 28 October 1940
• Treasurer:
  • 28 October 1940 to 7 October 1941
  • 19 December 1949 to 10 December 1958

Political memberships

• Townsville City Council (1930-32)
• Australian Country Party (1941-58)
  • federal parliamentary leader (March 1941 to March 1958)

After office

• President of the Parliamentary Retirement Allowances Trust (1949)
• Council of Defence (December 1949)