Bill Falkinder

Charles William Jackson Falkinder, CBE, DSO, DFC & Bar (29 August 1921 – 11 July 1993) was an Australian air force officer and politician.

Bill Falkinder CBE, DSO, DFC & Bar
Member of the Australian Parliament for Franklin
In office 28 September 1946 – 31 October 1966
Preceded by	Charles Frost
Succeeded by	Thomas Pearsall
Personal details
Born	(1921-08-29)29 August 1921 Hobart, Tasmania
Died	11 July 1993(1993-07-11) (aged 71) Hobart, Tasmania
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Liberal Party of Australia
Occupation	Air Force officer
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Royal Australian Air Force (1940–45) Royal Australian Air Force Reserve (1945–67)
Years of service	1940–1967
Rank	Wing Commander
Battles/wars	Second World War
Awards	Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Flying Cross & Bar

Born in Hobart, Tasmania, he was educated at Hobart High School and served in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from 1940 to 1945 during the Second World War. Attached to the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command and later Pathfinder Force for much of this time, Falkinder flew some 117 missions over occupied Europe and was decorated with the Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar. He continued to serve in the RAAF Reserve after the war, rising to the rank of wing commander.

In 1946 he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Liberal member for Franklin, narrowly defeating Labor minister Charles Frost with a ten percent swing. He held the seat until his retirement in 1966. Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his service, Bill Falkinder died in 1993.[1]