16 Facts About James Cornell

James Cornell was an Australian politician who served as a member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia from 1912 until his death.

James Cornell was elected President of the Legislative Council in July 1946, but served just four months before dying in office.

James Cornell came to Western Australia in 1897, initially working as a station hand at a lease on the Ashburton River.

In 1900, James Cornell moved to the Eastern Goldfields, working as a miner, labourer, and iron worker's assistant in Boulder.

James Cornell became involved with the trade union movement, and eventually became an official of the regional trades and labour council.

James Cornell was elected to the Legislative Council in 1912, representing South Province.

James Cornell stood as a candidate of the Labor Party, but left the party in early 1917 over the conscription issue.

James Cornell played a key role in the formation of the state branch of the National Labor Party, which subsequently supported the Nationalist government of Henry Lefroy.

James Cornell was stationed in France, and by the end of the war held the rank of sergeant.

In May 1918, while on active duty, James Cornell won re-election to the Legislative Council standing as a National Labor candidate against an endorsed Labor candidate.

James Cornell was elected president of the National Labor state branch in 1921, and was re-elected to parliament under that banner in 1924, although the final margin was only 18 votes.

In September 1926, James Cornell was appointed chairman of the committees in the Legislative Council.

James Cornell held the position until July 1946, when he was elevated to the presidency of the council in place of Sir John Kirwan.

James Cornell died in office in November 1946, aged 71, and was granted a state funeral.

James Cornell had married twice, to Mary Ann Daws in 1909 and to Florence Evelyn Bruce in 1940.

James Cornell's only child was George Cornell, who was a member of parliament.