Harry Edward Bolton (24 December 1870 – 18 August 1956) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the
Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1904 to 1917, as the member for
North Fremantle until 1911 and for
South Fremantle thereafter. He was initially a member of the
Labor Party before joining the
National Labor Party after the 1916
conscription
Conscription (also called the draft in the United States) is the state-mandated enlistment of people in a national service, mainly a military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and it continues in some countries to the present day un ...
split.
Early life
Harry Edward Bolton was born on 24 December 1870 in
Peckham, London. He emigrated with his family to
Western Australia at the age of 16, arriving on 21 June 1887.
Bolton began working on the railways in 1890 where he became involved in the trade union movement. In 1900, he was elected president of the Enginedrivers', Firemen and Cleaners' Union.
Political career
Bolton stood in the
1904 election for the
Legislative Assembly of Western Australia in the
North Fremantle electoral district, winning the seat.
In 1906 he raised in parliament allegations against railways commissioner
William James George that he had suppressed information on illegal activities of two senior railways officials
John T. Short
John Tregerthen Short (27 July 1858 – 26 January 1933), often and incorrectly referred to as John Thomas Short, was commissioner for West Australian Railways 1908–1919.
Biography
Short was born in St Ives, Cornwall, which he left for a life a ...
and George Alfred Julius.
A royal commission dismissed the allegations. The Premier of Western Australia moved to censure Bolton following the commission's report.
At the
1917 election, Bolton narrowly lost his seat to
Samuel Rocke whilst away on active service in
France during
World War I.
On his return from service in France, Bolton advocated for better treatment of returned servicemen. He was of the opinion that soldiers should have direct representation in parliament and that the existing parties did not adequately serve those who had fought for their country.
He contested the
Legislative Council seat of
West Province as an independent candidate, advocating for soldiers' rights,
in the
1919 by-election, losing to Labor's
Alexander Panton
Alexander Hugh Panton (20 March 1877 – 25 December 1951) was an Australian politician. He was a Labor member of the Western Australian Legislative Council from 1919 to 1922, before entering the Western Australian Legislative Assembly in 1924, ...
.
Bolton stood in the
1922 Australian federal election
The 1922 Australian federal election was held in Australia on 16 December 1922. All 75 seats in the House of Representatives, and 19 of the 36 seats in the Senate were up for election. The incumbent Nationalist Party, led by Prime Minister Billy ...
in the
division of Perth, losing to
Edward Mann of the
Nationalist Party.
Military career
During World War I, Bolton enlisted in the
Australian Imperial Force on 23 February 1916 whilst a serving member of parliament serving in the 59th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company, 3rd Railway Corps. He gained the rank of liuetenant.
In late 1918, it was reported that Bolton was suffering from "disordered action of the heart" and being treated at the
3rd General Wandsworth Military Hospital in London. There was speculation his illness may have been the result of
shell shock.
Personal life
On 1 December 1892, Bolton married Alice Matthews at Johnston Memorial Congregation Church in
Fremantle
Fremantle () () is a port city in Western Australia, located at the mouth of the Swan River in the metropolitan area of Perth, the state capital. Fremantle Harbour serves as the port of Perth. The Western Australian vernacular diminutive for ...
. The couple had five children. Alice died in 1936.
His eldest child, Laura Mildred Bolton, died in 1904 at the age of nine.
Death
Bolton died in
Shenton Park on 18 August 1956 at the age of 85. He was interred at
Karrakatta Cemetery.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bolton, Harry
1870 births
1956 deaths
Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly
Place of birth missing
Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Western Australia
National Labor Party members of the Parliament of Western Australia
Burials at Karrakatta Cemetery