Bill Chaffey
Encyclopedia
William Adolphus Chaffey (2 February 1915 - 4 March 1987) was an Australia
n farmer, soldier and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
for the district of Tamworth
(1940–1973). He also served as the New South Wales Minister for Agriculture from 1965 to 1968.
, 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
. He served in the 2/5th Independent Company
, and was twice mentioned in despatches, as well as winning the United States
' Bronze Star Medal
. 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 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. 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. After 1973, he retired from politics. He died in Tamworth
on 3 March 1987.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n farmer, soldier and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
for the district of Tamworth
Electoral district of Tamworth
Tamworth is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Kevin Anderson of the National Party of Australia...
(1940–1973). He also served as the New South Wales Minister for Agriculture from 1965 to 1968.
Biography
William Adolphus Chaffey was born in TamworthTamworth, New South Wales
Tamworth is a city in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. Straddling the Peel River, Tamworth, which contains an estimated population of 47,595 people, is the major regional centre for southern New England and in the local government area of Tamworth Regional Council. The city...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. 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
The King's School, Sydney
The King's School is an independent Anglican, day and boarding school for boys in North Parramatta in the western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1831, it is Australia's oldest school and forms one of the nine "Great Public Schools" of New South Wales. Situated within a site, Gowan Brae,...
, and Hawkesbury Agricultural College
Hawkesbury Agricultural College
Hawkesbury Agricultural College was the first agricultural college of New South Wales, Australia. Established by Sydney Smith in Richmond, New South Wales in 1891, the college was incorporated into the University of Western Sydney in 1989....
.
On 16 December 1941 he joined the Australian Imperial Force
Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
. He served in the 2/5th Independent Company
2/5th Independent Company of Commandos (Australia)
The 2/5th Commando Squadron was one of twelve independent companies and or commando squadrons of the Australian Army formed for service during World War II. Initially formed in 1942 as the 2/5th Independent Company, the 2/5th served in New Guinea, taking part in a major commando raid on Salamaua...
, and was twice mentioned in despatches, as well as winning the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
' Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
. In 1948, he became a member of the Australian Citizens Military Forces
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
, remaining there until 1961.
On 29 January 1946 William Adolphus Chaffey married Patricia Egerton-Warburton at Mount Barker
Mount Barker, Western Australia
Mount Barker is a town on the Albany Highway and is the administrative centre of the Shire of Plantagenet in the Great Southern region of Western Australia...
. 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 PartyUnited Australia Party
The United Australia Party was an Australian political party that was founded in 1931 and dissolved in 1945. It was the political successor to the Nationalist Party of Australia and predecessor to the Liberal Party of Australia...
. 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
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
. After an ideological split in 1972, he continued his term as an independent. 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. After 1973, he retired from politics. He died in Tamworth
Tamworth, New South Wales
Tamworth is a city in the New England region of New South Wales, Australia. Straddling the Peel River, Tamworth, which contains an estimated population of 47,595 people, is the major regional centre for southern New England and in the local government area of Tamworth Regional Council. The city...
on 3 March 1987.