Bill Grayden
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The Honourable Bill Grayden AM |
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|---|---|
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Swan |
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In office 10 December 1949 – 29 May 1954 |
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| Preceded by | Len Hamilton |
| Succeeded by | Harry Webb |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
William Leonard Grayden 5 August 1920 Bickley, Western Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Liberal Party of Australia |
| Spouse(s) | Betsy Marie Chadwick (1926–2007) |
| Relations | Nat Harper (grandfather) David Grayden (brother) |
| Children | 5 sons and 5 daughters |
| Residence | South Perth, Western Australia |
| Occupation | Mechanical engineer |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |
 Australia
|
| Service/branch | Second Australian Imperial Force |
| Years of service | 1940–1946 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Service number | WX8868 |
| Unit | 2/16th Battalion |
| Battles/wars | |
| Awards | Member of the Order of Australia |
William Leonard "Bill" Grayden AM (born 5 August 1920) is an Australian politician. Born in Perth, Western Australia, he was educated at state schools and then at Perth Technical College, as part of an apprenticeship commenced in 1938 as a Motor Mechanic with Winterbottom Motors. He served in the military with the 2/16th Infantry Battalion from 1940–1946. His service covered campaigns in Syria, the Kokoda Track, Ramu-Markham Valley (New Guinea) and Balikpapan (Borneo).
In 1947, he was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly as the Liberal member for Middle Swan, where he remained until 1949. In that year, he transferred to the Australian House of Representatives, winning the seat of Swan for the Liberals. He held the seat until his defeat in 1954. In 1956 he returned to the Legislative Assembly, winning the seat of South Perth. He served as a minister in a number of capacities: Labour and Industry 1974–1978; Consumer Affairs 1974–1978; Immigration and Tourism 1974–1975; and Education, Cultural Affairs and Recreation 1978–1982. Grayden left the Assembly in 1993. In total he served 43 years in State and Federal Parliament. He is the maternal grandson of Western Australian businessman and politician Nat Harper.
Along with Henry Pearce, Grayden is the earliest surviving MP, and one of only two living "Forty-Niner" Liberal MPs.
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