19 Facts About Josiah Francis

Sir Josiah Francis was an Australian politician who served in the House of Representatives from 1922 to 1955.

Josiah Francis was a minister in the Lyons and Menzies governments, serving as Minister in charge of War Service Homes, Minister for the Army, and Minister for the Navy.

Josiah Francis held his defence portfolios during Australia's involvement in the Korean War.

Josiah Francis was the son of Ada Florence and Henry Alfred Francis.

Josiah Francis was educated at Christian Brothers' College, Ipswich, before joining the Queensland Department of Justice as a clerk in 1908.

Josiah Francis was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Australian Imperial Force in 1916.

Josiah Francis served with the 15th Battalion in France from April 1917 and was wounded in the shoulder in March 1918, rejoining his unit in September after several months in hospital.

Josiah Francis was promoted captain in November before being discharged in Australia in September 1919.

Josiah Francis became prominent in the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia, serving as president of the Ipswich sub-branch and Moreton district division.

Josiah Francis was elected to the Australian House of Representatives from the Brisbane-area seat of Moreton at the 1922 election as a member of the Nationalist Party of Australia.

Josiah Francis was Minister in charge of War Service Homes from 1932 to 1934.

Josiah Francis had been a member of the Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League of Australia since 1920 and supported returned servicemen's issues.

Josiah Francis held the army portfolio until his retirement and the navy portfolio until May 1951; he was Minister for the Navy from July 1954 until his retirement.

In 1956, Josiah Francis was appointed Australian consul general to New York.

Josiah Francis was knighted in 1957 and retired to Brisbane in 1961.

Josiah Francis chaired the fundraising appeal for the Anzac Memorial Chapel at the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

In 1927, Josiah Francis married Edna Clarke Cribb, the daughter of state MP James Clarke Cribb.

Josiah Francis collapsed and died on 22 February 1964 while watching a regatta on the Brisbane River at Toowong.

Josiah Francis was granted a state funeral which was held at the Albert Street Methodist Church and attended by former prime ministers Arthur Fadden and Frank Forde.