Donald Charles Cameron (politician)

Summary

Sir Donald Charles Cameron, KCMG, DSO, VD (19 November 1879 – 19 November 1960) was an Australian politician and soldier. He was a member of the Australian House of Representatives as the Nationalist Party of Australia member for Brisbane from 1919 to 1931 and as the United Australia Party member for Lilley from 1934 to 1937.

Sir Donald Cameron
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Brisbane
In office
13 December 1919 – 19 December 1931
Preceded byWilliam Finlayson
Succeeded byGeorge Lawson
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Lilley
In office
15 September 1934 – 21 September 1937
Preceded byGeorge Mackay
Succeeded byWilliam Jolly
Personal details
Born19 November 1879
Brisbane, Queensland
Died19 November 1960(1960-11-19) (aged 81)
Brisbane, Queensland
NationalityAustralian
Political partyNationalist (1919–31)
UAP (1931–37)
OccupationMilitary officer
Military service
AllegianceAustralia
Branch/serviceAustralian Army
Years of service1901–1919
RankLieutenant Colonel
Commands5th Light Horse Regiment
Battles/warsBoxer Rebellion
Second Boer War
First World War
AwardsKnight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Distinguished Service Order
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration
Mentioned in Despatches (4)
Order of the Nile (Egypt)

Early life and military career edit

Born in Brisbane, the son of a grazier, he was educated at Toowoomba Grammar School and Brisbane Grammar School. He served with the Queensland Imperial Bushmen in the Second Boer War and with American forces in China during the Boxer Rebellion. He managed the family property, Kensington Downs, along with his brothers between 1902 and 1914, when he enlisted in World War I. He was shot through the liver and lung at the Battle of Gallipoli, and finished the First World War as a lieutenant colonel in command of the 5th Light Horse Regiment. He was mentioned in despatches, received the Order of the Nile, and was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George for his war service.[1][2]

Politics edit

In 1919 he won the seat of Brisbane for the Nationalist Party of Australia, holding it until he was defeated by the Australian Labor Party in 1931. In 1934 he won the nearby seat of Lilley, but retired in 1937. In 1932 he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.[2][3]

Later life edit

During World War II, Cameron was chairman of the New South Wales recruiting committee for the Royal Australian Air Force. He died on 19 November 1960 and was cremated; his ashes were buried in the family cemetery on Home Creek Station.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ "COLONEL CAMERON Retiring". The Evening News. No. 2458. Queensland. 25 July 1929. p. 11. Retrieved 6 January 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ^ a b c Wigsell, S.W. (1979). "Sir Donald Charles Cameron (1879–1960)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Vol. 7. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  3. ^ "U.A.P. Candidates Win Barton And East Sydney". Barrier Miner. Vol. XLIV, no. 13, 280. New South Wales, Australia. 28 December 1931. p. 1. Retrieved 6 January 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Member for Brisbane
1919–1931
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member for Lilley
1934–1937
Succeeded by