Australian Prime Minister. Born in Pimlico, England, he moved to Australia at the age of twenty-two. He did odd jobs to make a living including umbrella mending and working as a galley hand on a coastal steamer. He became a member of the Australian Socialist League and soon was one if its most famous speakers. His popularity as a speaker led him to politics where he was elected to the Parliament in 1901. He became Prime Minister as a member of the Labor Party from 1915 to 1916. One of his first acts as Prime Minister was to go to London to discuss Australia's role in World War I. While on his trip he stopped at several places and visited with Australian troops. He was convinced that reinforcements were needed and returned to Australia seeking compulsory military service. Members of the Labor Party were appalled at his stance and expelled him from the group. He led a group of other pro-conscription Labor Party members to form the National Labor Party. This move allowed him to remian as Prime Minister. He went on to serve as Prime Minister until 1923. In 1919 he represented Australia at the meetings that produced the Treaty of Versailles. Among other things he fought for Australia to become a member of the League of Nations as an independent nation as opposed to a British dominion. He returned a hero but four years later, when his party lost control of the Parliament, he was forced to resign. After his stint as Prime Minister he continued to serve in the Parliament and in various cabinet positions. He joined both the National Party and the United Australia Party but was expelled from both. He was still serving in the Parliament when he died.
Australian Prime Minister. Born in Pimlico, England, he moved to Australia at the age of twenty-two. He did odd jobs to make a living including umbrella mending and working as a galley hand on a coastal steamer. He became a member of the Australian Socialist League and soon was one if its most famous speakers. His popularity as a speaker led him to politics where he was elected to the Parliament in 1901. He became Prime Minister as a member of the Labor Party from 1915 to 1916. One of his first acts as Prime Minister was to go to London to discuss Australia's role in World War I. While on his trip he stopped at several places and visited with Australian troops. He was convinced that reinforcements were needed and returned to Australia seeking compulsory military service. Members of the Labor Party were appalled at his stance and expelled him from the group. He led a group of other pro-conscription Labor Party members to form the National Labor Party. This move allowed him to remian as Prime Minister. He went on to serve as Prime Minister until 1923. In 1919 he represented Australia at the meetings that produced the Treaty of Versailles. Among other things he fought for Australia to become a member of the League of Nations as an independent nation as opposed to a British dominion. He returned a hero but four years later, when his party lost control of the Parliament, he was forced to resign. After his stint as Prime Minister he continued to serve in the Parliament and in various cabinet positions. He joined both the National Party and the United Australia Party but was expelled from both. He was still serving in the Parliament when he died.
Bio by: Bigwoo
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