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George Henry Devries (1886–1957)

This article was published:

George Devries, n.d.

George Devries, n.d.

George Henry Devries (1896-1957) seaman, bushworker, trade union official and politician 

Birth: 4 July 1886 at Stretford, Manchester, Lancashire, England, son of John Harms Devries (1864-1951), stevedore and farmer, and Elizabeth, née Ware (1860-1939). Marriage: 16 December 1920 at Ilfracombe, Queensland, to Bridget Ellen Hillery (1895-1982. They had two daughters and two sons. Death: 13 July 1957 at Winton, Queensland. Religion: Catholic. 

  • Apprenticed aged fifteen as midshipman. After four years at sea, moved to Australia to join parents on land near Rockhampton, Queensland. Took an active interest in sport in his younger days, particularly in boxing.
  • Was a farm labourer when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 28 September 1916. Served in France and Belgium and was wounded in action serving with the 15th Battalion on 6 July 1917. Returned to Australia and was discharged in Brisbane on 28 June 1919.
  • Miner at Mt Morgan. Various positions as bushworker and clerk in Longreach district 1920. Clerk, Australian Workers’ Union, Longreach. Secretary Australian Workers Union (AWU), Western district 1929-1941; representative on Qld Executive AWU.
  • Elected for Australian Labor Party as member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for the Gregory on 29 March 1941. Held the seat until his death.
  • Attorney General from 1949 to 1950, Minister for Public Instruction from 1950 to 1956 and Minister for Mines from 1956 to 1957.

Sources
D. B. Waterson and John Arnold, A Biographical Register of the Queensland Parliament: 1930-1980, (Canberra, 1982)

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Devries, George Henry (1886–1957)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/devries-george-henry-33344/text41640, accessed 13 October 2024.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

George Devries, n.d.

George Devries, n.d.

Life Summary [details]

Birth

4 July, 1886
Stretford, Lancashire, England

Death

13 July, 1957 (aged 71)
Winton, Queensland, Australia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation
Military Service
Key Organisations
Political Activism
Workplaces