Australian Prime Minister. Born in Mitchell, Queensland, he worked as a telegrapher, joined the Labor Party and begin serving in the Parliament in 1917. In 1941 he was named Minister of Defense and was instrumental in thwarting the Japanese attempt to invade Australia. Twice while serving in the Cabinet he was acting Prime Minister when John Curtin was ill or traveling abroad. In 1945 he was sent to San Francisco as a representative of Australia to help in the formation of the United Nations. On July 5, 1945 Curtin died and he was named Prime Minister the next day. However, he held the position for only eight days because Ben Chifley challenged and won the seat. He was Chifley's Deputy Prime Minister for two years before leaving to become Australia's High Commissioner to Canada. He died at age ninety-two.

Australian Prime Minister. Born in Mitchell, Queensland, he worked as a telegrapher, joined the Labor Party and begin serving in the Parliament in 1917. In 1941 he was named Minister of Defense and was instrumental in thwarting the Japanese attempt to invade Australia. Twice while serving in the Cabinet he was acting Prime Minister when John Curtin was ill or traveling abroad. In 1945 he was sent to San Francisco as a representative of Australia to help in the formation of the United Nations. On July 5, 1945 Curtin died and he was named Prime Minister the next day. However, he held the position for only eight days because Ben Chifley challenged and won the seat. He was Chifley's Deputy Prime Minister for two years before leaving to become Australia's High Commissioner to Canada. He died at age ninety-two.

Bio by: Bigwoo