Bill Chaffey

Major Bill Chaffey
Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Tamworth
In office 10 August 1940 – 19 October 1973
Preceded by	Frank Chaffey
Succeeded by	Noel Park
Personal details
Born	18 February 1915 Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
Died	04 March 1987 Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Independent
Other political affiliations	United Australia Country
Spouse(s)	Patricia Egerton-Warburton (m. 29 January 1946)
Relations	Frank Chaffey (father)
Children	1 son, 2 daughters
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army Second Australian Imperial Force
Years of service	1941–1945
Rank	Major
Unit	2/5th Commando Squadron Z Special Unit
Battles/wars	World War II Papua New Guinea French Indochina Borneo campaign (1945)

Major William 'Bill' Adolphus Chaffey (18 February 1915 – 4 March 1987) was an Australian farmer, distinguished soldier and long serving member of the Parliament of New South Wales.

Chaffey represented the electoral district of Tamworth from 1940 to 1973. He also served as the New South Wales Minister for Agriculture from 1965 to 1968.^[1] Chaffey succeeded his father, Frank in parliament after the latter's death and together they served a combined fifty-nine years and nine months in the New South Wales parliament representing the New England region of New South Wales.

Biography

William Adolphus Chaffey was born in Tamworth, New South Wales on 18 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.^[2] He served in the 2/5th Independent Company, and was twice mentioned in despatches, as well as winning the United States' Bronze Star Medal.^[1] 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 politics

On the death of his father, Frank Augustus Chaffey, William succeeded to his father's seat, as a member of the United Australia Party.^[3] 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.^[4] 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.

Chaffey retired from politics at the New South Wales state election, 1973. He was an Honorary Vice President of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales. Chaffey died in Tamworth on 3 March 1987 and was cremated. Chaffey Dam, a large freshwater dam on the Peel River north of Tamworth, New South Wales is named after both Bill and his father Frank. He was a Freemason.

See also

• New South Wales Legislative Assembly

References