George Rankin

George James Rankin, DSO & Bar, VD (1 May 1887 – 28 December 1957) was an Australian soldier and politician. He served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, representing the Country Party of Australia.


George Rankin

Member of the Australian Parliament
for Bendigo
In office
23 October 1937  31 October 1949
Preceded byEric Harrison
Succeeded byPercy Clarey
Senator for Victoria
In office
22 February 1950  30 June 1956
Personal details
Born(1887-05-01)1 May 1887
Bamawm, Victoria
Died28 December 1957(1957-12-28) (aged 70)
Rochester, Victoria
NationalityAustralian
Political partyAustralian Country Party
Spouse(s)Annie Isabella Oliver
OccupationSoldier
Military service
AllegianceAustralia
Branch/serviceCitizens Military Force
Years of service1907–1944
RankMajor General
Commands2nd Cavalry Division (1936–42)
5th Cavalry Brigade (1926–31, 1933–36)
17th Light Horse Regiment (1920–23)
4th Light Horse Regiment (1919)
Battles/warsFirst World War Second World War
AwardsDistinguished Service Order & Bar
Mentioned in Despatches (2)
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration

Early life

Rankin was born at Bamawm, Victoria, the tenth child of Irish farmer James Rankin and Sarah, née Gallagher. He attended the local state school and became a farmer. In 1907, he joined the Militia, and was commissioned in the 9th Light Horse Regiment in 1909. He married Annie Isabella Oliver at Rochester, Victoria on 7 July 1912. In 1914, he was appointed a lieutenant of the Australian Imperial Force and posted to the 4th Light Horse Regiment.

Military service

Rankin served in the 4th Light Horse Regiment and reached Gallipoli in May 1915, was wounded in July, became a captain in December, and a major in March 1916. He also served in the Sinai, and was second in command of his unit from August 1917. Rankin was present at the famous charge at Beersheba on 31 October, and in 1918 was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for his gallantry. His leadership subsequently earned him a Bar to his DSO.

After the conclusion of the war, Rankin was sent to Egypt to suppress a rebellion, after which he returned to Australia. He returned to the Militia, becoming a brigadier in 1936 and a major general in 1937. During this time, he developed an interest in politics, in particular the Country Party.

Federal politics

Rankin was elected chief president of the Victorian United Country Party (VUCP) in 1937, but resigned later that year in order to contest the seat of Bendigo in the Australian House of Representatives. He was elected, and became part of the faction of the Country Party that advocated coalition with the United Australia Party. However, he was forced to back down on this by the State council of the VUCP.

Rankin became well known as an advocate of returned servicemen and wheat-farmers. He was a voracious critic of the Labor governments of John Curtin and Ben Chifley. When in 1949, an electoral redistribution substantially changed Rankin's seat, he contested the Senate instead and won. He was returned in 1951, but his parliamentary activity steadily decreased. He remained an active and vigorous anti-communist until his retirement, due to ill health, in 1955.

Rankin died of cerebrovascular disease on 28 December 1957 at Rochester, where he was buried, and was survived by his wife.

He was played by Serge Lazareff in the film The Lighthorsemen (1987).

References

  • Saunders, Malcolm (2002). "Rankin, George James (1887–1957)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Melbourne University Press. ISSN 1833-7538. Retrieved 15 March 2008 via National Centre of Biography, Australian National University.
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by
Eric Harrison
Member for Bendigo
1937–1949
Succeeded by
Percy Clarey
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