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Philip Connolly

The Honourable
Philip Connolly
DSC VRD
Phil Connolly.jpg
Connolly in 1943
22nd Minister of Defence
In office
12 December 1957 – 12 December 1960
Prime Minister Walter Nash
Preceded by Dean Eyre
Succeeded by Dean Eyre
Personal details
Born 14 November 1899
Dunedin, New Zealand
Died 13 February 1970
Dunedin, New Zealand
Political party Labour
Spouse(s) Phyllis Mirfin (1929-1934†)
Molly Noton (1943-1970)
Children 5
Profession Engineer
Military service
Allegiance Naval Ensign of New Zealand.svg New Zealand Navy
Rank UK-Navy-OF3 infobox.svg Lieutenant-Commander
Battles/wars World War II

Philip George Connolly DSC VRD (14 November 1899 – 13 February 1970) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.

Connoly was born in Dunedin on 14 November 1899 to Hugh Babbington Connolly and Evelyn Emily Connolly (née Smith). He was educated at McAndrew Road School and Otago Boys High School until leaving school in 1914 upon the death of his father to work for a living as an apprentice fitter. Connolly first developed an interest in politics upon the formation of the Labour Party in 1916. He also worked in the NZR Hillside Workshops.

During World War II Connolly served in the Royal New Zealand Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific, commanding the minesweeper ship HMS Deodar and antisubmarine vessel HMNZS Moa. He was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross in 1941 for his service in safeguarding Channel convoys.

Connolly represented the Dunedin West electorate from 1943 to 1946, and then the Dunedin Central electorate from 1946 to 1963, when he retired. He narrowly missed selection for a cabinet portfolio under Peter Fraser, though in 1947 was elected as the Labour Party's junior Whip, being elevated to the senior Whip in 1951.


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