Charles McGrath
| Charles McGrath | |
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 |
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| Member of the Australian Parliament for Ballaarat |
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In office 31 May 1913 – 13 December 1919 |
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| Preceded by | Alfred Deakin |
| Succeeded by | Edwin Kerby |
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In office 10 July 1920 – 31 July 1934 |
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| Preceded by | Edwin Kerby |
| Succeeded by | Archibald Fisken |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
10 November 1872 Newtown, Victoria |
| Died | 31 July 1934 (aged 61) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party |
Labor (1913–31) UAP (1931–34) |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Johnstone Gullan |
| Occupation | Storekeeper |
David Charles McGrath (10 November 1872 – 31 July 1934) was an Australian politician. Originally a member of the Australian Labor Party, he joined Joseph Lyons in the split that led to the formation of the United Australia Party.
McGrath was born at Newtown, Victoria to David McGrath, an Irish-born miner, and Evelyn, née Horsefield, an Englishwoman. He attended Newtown State and Creswick Grammar schools before working at the family store at Allendale. He was a member of the South Ballarat football team during the 1890s. He married Elizabeth Johnstone Gullan in Ballarat on 24 May 1898; the couple moved to Pitfield Plains in 1900 to expand the family business.
In 1904, McGrath was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Labor, representing the seat of Grenville. He became known as a spokesman for the mining industry, and earned the nickname "Bull" for his promotion of Labor in country areas; with Frank Anstey, he travelled extensively in the Gippsland area in November 1904.
In May 1913, McGrath transferred to the federal House of Representatives, representing the seat of Ballaarat. A vocal advocate for improved conditions for soldiers, McGrath enlisted in the armed forces in March 1916, travelling overseas as part of the Australian Imperial Force. Until his 1918 dischargement as medically unfit, he was promoted to warrant officer.
McGrath lost the 1919 election by a single vote to Nationalist challenger Edwin Kerby. However, McGrath alleged irregularities in the count. As a result, the election was declared void and a by-election was held in July 1920, in which McGrath was elected. He continued to support soldiers' issues, notably repatriation benefits, and criticised the method of bestowing Imperial honours.
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