Frederick Francis (Australian politician)

Frederick Henry Francis (1881 – 15 August 1949) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1919 to 1925, representing the Victorian seat of Henty as a Nationalist-aligned independent. He also served a term as mayor of the City of Malvern.

Frederick Francis
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Henty
In office
13 December 1919 – 3 October 1925
Preceded byJames Boyd
Succeeded byHenry Gullett
Personal details
Born1881
Melbourne, Victoria
Died(1949-08-15)15 August 1949 (aged 67)
NationalityAustralian
Political partyIndependent (1919–22)
Nationalist (1922–25)
OccupationBuilder

Early life
Francis in mayoral robes, c. 1920

Francis was born at Port Melbourne and was a builder and then an estate agent before entering politics. He was a City of Malvern councillor for sixteen years, including a stint as mayor. He was also a justice of the peace. He had attempted to enlist in World War I but was rejected. He was an unsuccessful candidate at the 1917 state election.[1][2][3][4]

Federal politics

In 1919, he contested the Australian House of Representatives seat of Henty as an independent Nationalist and defeated the sitting Nationalist MP, James Boyd, on Labor preferences. Despite his independent candidacy, he was reported to be a strong supporter of Nationalist Prime Minister Billy Hughes.[5][6] He was re-elected in 1922 as a loosely-aligned Nationalist, he was formally endorsed and described himself as a "progressive Nationalist to the backbone" but stating that he would not respond to the party whip and would vote his conscience; he was alternately described as independent Nationalist or Nationalist in different sources. He defeated three Nationalist candidates, including Boyd.[7][8][9]

Prior to the 1925 election, Francis announced that he would not re-contest Henty and would attempt to transfer to the Senate. He was not endorsed by the National Federation and stated his opposition to preselection. However, he rejected the labels "independent" or "independent Nationalist", stating that he was a Nationalist candidate.[10] Francis eventually withdrew his Senate candidacy "to avoid splitting the Nationalist vote".[11] He unsuccessfully contested the 1929 Balaclava by-election as an independent Nationalist, losing to endorsed Nationalist Thomas White by a large margin.[5]

Later life

Francis faced financial difficulties after leaving parliament. He built a garage and operated it for two years, but was unsuccessful and left with heavy debts. He later worked as a taxi driver, at the State Bank of Victoria, and as an agent for an undertaker, working on commission and living rent-free behind the premises.[12] He was declared bankrupt in February 1936.[13]

Francis died on 15 August 1949, aged 67, survived by two daughters. He was buried at the Old Cheltenham Cemetery.[14][1]

References
  1. "Death of Mr. F. H. Francis". The Age. Victoria, Australia. 17 August 1949. p. 3. Retrieved 27 December 2019 – via Trove.
  2. "STATE ELECTIONS". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 9 November 1917. p. 7. Retrieved 27 December 2019 – via Trove.
  3. "NEW FACES IN FEDERAL HOUSES". The Herald. Victoria, Australia. 1 January 1920. p. 1. Retrieved 27 December 2019 – via Trove.
  4. "HENTY". The Age. Victoria, Australia. 6 December 1919. p. 16. Retrieved 27 December 2019 – via Trove.
  5. Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
  6. "THE ELECTIONS". The Daily News. Western Australia. 26 December 1919. p. 6 (THIRD EDITION). Retrieved 27 December 2019 – via Trove.
  7. "Mr. Francis at Carnegie". The Argus (Melbourne). Victoria, Australia. 10 November 1922. p. 12. Retrieved 27 December 2019 – via Trove.
  8. "Mr. Francis Opposes Pre-Selection". The Age. Victoria, Australia. 31 October 1922. p. 10. Retrieved 27 December 2019 – via Trove.
  9. "IN A HURRY". The Herald. Victoria, Australia. 11 December 1922. p. 5. Retrieved 27 December 2019 – via Trove.
  10. "A Nationalist: Mr Francis Denies He is an Independent". The Melbourne Herald. 7 August 1925.
  11. "Retiring Member for Henty". The Melbourne Herald. 6 October 1925.
  12. "Bankrupt Builder: Formerly in Parliament". The Age. 22 April 1936.
  13. "Former M.H.R. For Henty Bankrupt". The Melbourne Herald. 3 February 1936.
  14. "Former MHR Dies At 67". The Melbourne Herald. 16 August 1949.
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