1. Les Haylen was the youngest of twelve children; the family moved to Sydney in 1908.
10 Facts About Les Haylen
1. 2.
Les Haylen was raised as a Catholic, but later lost his faith.
3.
Les Haylen enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 6 July 1918 and was sent to Europe, but his ship was recalled and he was discharged in January of the following year.
4.
The couple moved to Wagga Wagga, where Les Haylen became chief sub-editor and leader writer of The Daily Advertiser.
5.
Les Haylen was a committed socialist and read widely on the subject.
6.
Les Haylen was overlooked for a cabinet post after the 1946 elections, but led a parliamentary delegation to Japan in 1948, where he sparked controversy by shaking hands with Emperor Hirohito.
7.
Les Haylen was a member of a 1963 parliamentary delegation to Southeast Asia.
8.
Les Haylen was surprisingly defeated in the 1963 elections, but continued writing.
9.
Les Haylen was unsuccessful in his attempts to enter the Senate in 1964 or to achieve pre-selection again for Parkes in 1965.
10.
Les Haylen died on 12 September 1977 at Lewisham in Sydney, and was survived by his wife and two sons.