14 Facts About Clarrie Martin

Major Clarence Edward Martin was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1930 until 1932 and from 1939 until his death in 1953.

Clarrie Martin was variously a member of the Australian Labor Party, the Industrial Labor Party and the Labor Party.

Clarrie Martin was the Attorney General of New South Wales from 1941 until 1953 and held the position of Minister for Transport for six months prior to his death.

Clarrie Martin was born in Ballarat, Victoria and was the son of a miner.

Clarrie Martin was educated at state schools in Broken Hill, New South Wales and was orphaned at an early age.

Clarrie Martin initially worked in the Broken Hill mines but continued his education privately.

Clarrie Martin graduated and was called to the bar on the motion of Richard Windeyer in 1936, in 1952 he was appointed a Queen's Counsel.

Clarrie Martin was the founder of the NSW branch of the Fabian Society and a trustee of the State Library of New South Wales.

Clarrie Martin served in the Second Australian Imperial Force in New Guinea and the Middle East for 4 years and reached the rank of Major.

Clarrie Martin entered the New South Wales Parliament at the 1930 state election as the labor member for Young.

Clarrie Martin defeated the sitting Country Party member Albert Reid and his victory helped Labor form a government under Premier Jack Lang.

Clarrie Martin was a supporter of rebel union-backed Labor Party, the Industrial Labor Party, and stood as their candidate at the by-election caused by the death of the United Australia Party member for Waverley, John Waddell.

In September 1949, the serving Deputy Premier, Jack Baddeley, announced his retirement from parliament and Clarrie Martin stood to succeed him as deputy.

Clarrie Martin remained Attorney General until 1953 when illness caused him to take the less hectic post of Minister for Transport.