Frank Forde

Francis Michael Forde was born on 18 July 1890. He was a former Australian politician and shortest serving prime minister of Australia for only 8 days.

Early Life

He was born to Irish immigrant parents in Mitchell, Queensland and was the second of six children’s His father was a grazier. Forde has done his schooling at St. Mary's College, Toowoomba, Catholic school and there he became a teacher. While settling in Rockhampton, he was busy in building Labor party and in workers' education groups.

Political Career

In 1917, he entered as a Labor MP of Legislative Assembly of Queensland for Rockhampton. In 1922, he resigning from the Queensland parliament and was chosen as the Australian House of Representatives for Capricornia. When labor party won the federal election, Forde became Assistant Minister for Trade and Customs in the Scullin government (from 1929 -31).He became Minister for Trade and Customs at the concluding day of government. In the 1931 election, he was one of senior Labor mister to survive a defeat. In 1932, he became Deputy Opposition Leader. In 1935, Scullin is retired, he contested in a leadership ballot, but defeated by one, vote by John Curtin and he was mostly supported by Scullin's economic policies. In 1941, when labor won the election, he became Minister for the Army, a very important role in time of warfare. In1945, Curtin died due to this he was sworn in as Prime Minister on 6 July by the Governor-General, Prince Henry, and Duke of Gloucester. Forde competed for leadership ballot with Norman Makin, Ben Chifley on 13th July. He was criticized for his slow work as Minister for Defense as a result lost his seat in the 1946 election.

After Politics

After he retired as a politician, he dedicated himself to Catholic charity work. In 1964, he stand for Australia at MacArthur’s funeral in Arlington, Virginia at the request of Prime Minister Robert Menzie At the request of Prime Minister Robert Menzies he represented Australia at MacArthur’s funeral in Virginia in 1964.

Death

In 1983, he died and his funeral was declared on 3rd February, on same day Bob Hawke was elected ALP leader. He was shortest Australian prime minster in history for eight days. He was the longest-lived Australian prime minister, until he passed by Gough Whitlam on 21 January 2009. He was only leader to work under three leaders.In memorial of his The Division of Forde is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland and the Canberra suburb of Forde are named after him.

Family

In 1925, he married to Veronica Catherine O’Reilly. The couple had four children: Mary Therese (b. 1927) Mercia (b. 1930) Clare (1932–2010) Francis Gerard Forde (1935–1966) and his wife after death became Governor of Queensland. When he was in Ottawa as High Commissioner to Canada, he married his two daughters to Canadians.His daughter Mary settled with husband in Kingston, Canada and other daughter Mercia returned to Australia and settled in St. Lucia, Brisbane. The other children Francis Gerald Forde also settled in St. Lucia and Clare in Canberra.

15th Prime Minister of Australia
In office	6 July 1945– 13 July 1945
Monarch	George VI
Governor General	HRH The Duke of Gloucester
Preceded by	John Curtin
Succeeded by	Ben Chifley
Member of the Australian Parliament for Capricornia
In office	16 December 1922– 28 September 1946
Preceded by	William Higgs
Succeeded by	Charles Davidson
Personal details
Born	18 July 1890 Mitchell, Queensland, British Empire
Died	28 January 1983 (aged 92) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Labor
Spouse(s)	Vera O'Reilly (1894–1967)
Children	4
Religion	Roman Catholicism