Pearce, George Foster, 1870-1952

Born in 1870 at Mount Barker, S. Aust, he moved to Perth, W.A. in 1892. After becoming active in the union movement, he was elected as a Labor representative to the first Australian Senate as a Senator for W.A. in 1901. He was a Minister for Defence (1908-1909, 1910-1913, 1914-21, 1932-1934) for successive Labor governments until 1917. He presided over the bitter conscription debate of 1916-1917. Having aligned himself with the "yes" faction of Billy Hughes, he was subsequently expelled from the Labor Party, yet continued to hold office as a member of the new National Party. He also held the position of Minister for Home and Territories (1921-1926) and continued to serve until defeated in the 1937 Election.

From the description of Papers of George Foster Pearce, 1909-1937 [manuscript]. 1909-1937. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 225827572

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