Charles Davidson (politician)

The Honourable Sir Charles Davidson KBE
Member of the Australian Parliament for Capricornia
In office 28 September 1946 – 10 December 1949
Preceded by	Frank Forde
Succeeded by	Henry Pearce
Member of the Australian Parliament for Dawson
In office 10 December 1949 – 1 November 1963
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	George Shaw
Personal details
Born	(1897-09-14)14 September 1897
Died	29 November 1985(1985-11-29) (aged 88)
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal (1946–49) Country (1949–63)
Occupation	Dairy farmer

Sir Charles William Davidson KBE (14 September 1897 – 29 November 1985) was an Australian politician. He attended Townsville Grammar School in 1912 and 1913. He served in World War I and on his return was a dairy farmer and later grew sugar cane. During World War II, he served in the 42nd Battalion of the Australian Army in New Guinea, rising to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He was twice mentioned in despatches and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (Military) in March 1945.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Political career

He won the seat of Capricornia from Frank Forde at the 1946 election, representing the House of Representatives seat of Capricornia for the Liberal Party. At the 1949 election, he switched to the Country Party when he was elected the member of the new seat of Dawson. He was Postmaster-General from 1956 to 1963 and Minister for the Navy from 1956 to 1958. In 1958 he was elected deputy leader of the Country Party succeeding John McEwen who had become leader.

He retired at the 1963 election.^[1][2][5]

Davidson was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in June 1964.^[4] He died in 1985 and was survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.^[2]

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