15 Facts About Wilfred Fullagar

Sir Wilfred Kelsham Fullagar, KBE, QC was an Australian judge who served on the High Court of Australia from 1950 until his death in 1961.

Wilfred Fullagar had earlier served on the Supreme Court of Victoria from 1945 to 1950, and had previously been considered one of Melbourne's leading barristers.

Wilfred Fullagar was the oldest of three children and only son born to Sarah Elizabeth and Thomas Kelsham Fullagar.

Wilfred Fullagar was educated at Haileybury College before matriculating to the University of Melbourne in 1910.

Wilfred Fullagar boarded at Ormond College, graduating Bachelor of Laws in 1915.

In October 1916, while undertaking his articles of clerkship, Wilfred Fullagar enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force.

Wilfred Fullagar served in France with the 7th Field Artillery Brigade, ending the war with the rank of sergeant.

Wilfred Fullagar studied law in England for six months in 1919, during which time he married Marion Lovejoy.

Wilfred Fullagar was awarded the degree of Master of Laws by the University of Melbourne in 1925.

Wilfred Fullagar lectured at the University of Melbourne from 1923 to 1928, in tort and legal procedure.

Wilfred Fullagar made several appearances before the High Court, and in 1932 appeared in three cases argued before the Privy Council, including the inconspicuously named but significant Dried Fruits case, and Attorney-General v Trethowan, the case that considered whether a referendum was necessary to abolish the Legislative Council of New South Wales.

Wilfred Fullagar was junior counsel in those cases to Sir William Jowitt, a future Lord Chancellor, and Sir John Latham, a future Chief Justice of Australia, respectively.

Wilfred Fullagar held that position until his appointment to the High Court on 8 February 1950, when he filled the vacancy left by the resignation of Sir Hayden Starke.

Wilfred Fullagar contributed to the Australian High Court being considered in the 1950s as one of the leading appellate courts in the common law world, and many of his judgments in a variety of areas of law are still regarded as classics.

Wilfred Fullagar sat on the bench of the High Court until his death of a stroke on 9 July 1961.