Hector Clayton

The Honourable Major Sir Hector Clayton ED
Leader of the New South Wales Opposition in the Legislative Council
In office 12 April 1960 – 30 October 1962
Preceded by	Sir Henry Manning
Succeeded by	Arthur Bridges
Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales
In office 23 April 1937 – 22 April 1973
Personal details
Born	(1885-06-03)3 June 1885 Surry Hills, Colony of New South Wales
Died	18 July 1975(1975-07-18) (aged 90) Paddington, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse(s)	Phyllis Edith Midwood
Awards	Knight Bachelor Efficiency Decoration 1914–15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal War Medal Aus. Service Medal King George VI Coronation Medal Mentioned in despatches
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army
Years of service	1914 – 1945
Rank	Major & Honorary Colonel
Unit	4th Battalion, AIF Quartermaster general's department
Battles/wars	World War I Gallipoli Campaign Western Front World War II

Major Sir Hector Joseph Richard Clayton, ED (3 June 1885 – 18 July 1975) was an Australian politician, solicitor and soldier. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council for 36 years from 1937 to 1973 representing the Liberal Party of Australia and its predecessor, the United Australia Party, becoming Leader of the New South Wales Opposition in the Legislative Council from 1960 until 1962.^[1]

Early years and military career

Hector Joseph Richard Clayton was born in Surry Hills, New South Wales in 1885, the son of solicitor John Horatio Clayton and Isabel Woodward. After being educated at Sydney Grammar School, Clayton undertook studies at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (1907) and a Bachelor of Laws (1910). After qualifying as an solicitor in 1911, Clayton was made a partner in his father's firm, John H.Clayton and Son from 1911 until 1920.^[1]

When the First World War broke out in 1914, Clayton immediately signed up to the First Australian Imperial Force with a commission and was posted to the 4th Battalion, AIF. He embarked for Egypt in October as a captain and took part in the landing on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. In 1916, he was transferred to the Western Front, was promoted to major in November, and commanded the 4th Division Base, being mentioned in dispatches. He undertook administrative duties in England from June 1918.^[2] On 24 July 1917 he married Phyllis Edith Midwood at the parish church, Market Drayton, Shropshire.^[1]

After demobilisation, Clayton returned to the law as a partner in Clayton and Utz (1920-1924) and later in Clayton, Utz and Company (1924-1975). A member of the conservative United Australia Party, Clayton was elected to the indirectly elected New South Wales Legislative Council on 8 December 1936 and took his seat on 23 Apr 1937. However, he subsequently resigned from the UAP, as he believed that the council should be a non-partisan house of review, but remained a consistent supporter of his former party. Having been placed on the Reserve of Officers, Clayton was mobilised on the outbreak of war on 4 September 1939. After undertaking mostly administrative tasks, from July 1942 he commanded the 1st Movement Control Group in the New South Wales Lines of Communication Area. In August 1945, he was placed on the Retired List as honorary colonel.^[3]

Political career

A distinguished though uncombative member in the council, Clayton eventually succeeded as the Leader of the New South Wales Opposition in the Legislative Council, in 1960. His most significant achievement was found in attacking the Labor Government's attempts to abolish the Legislative Council, leading the campaign through the Supreme Court and the High Court of Australia and the subsequent referendum in April 1961, which overwhelmingly rejected the abolition proposal and marked the decline of the Labor government that had been in power since 1941. He stood down as leader in 1962, after problems with the leadership of the Liberal Party.^[3]

In August 1966, Clayton decided to run for President of the New South Wales Legislative Council, being nominated by his friend and colleague Thomas Playfair. However, on the morning of the council meeting, Playfair suffered a fatal heart attack and Clayton withdrew his nomination.^[3] Having served as a company director of several insurance companies and a protector of the rights of businesses from government regulation, in 1968 he was made a Knight Bachelor "In recognition of service to commerce".^[4] He continued serving on the council until his retirement aged 88 in 1973. Survived by his two sons and a daughter, he died aged 90 on 18 July 1975 at Paddington and was cremated.^[1]

References