Thomas White (Australian politician)
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The Honourable Sir Thomas White KBE, DFC |
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Thomas White, Melbourne, c. 1930
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| Member of the Australian Parliament for Balaclava |
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In office 3 August 1929 – 21 June 1951 |
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| Preceded by | William Watt |
| Succeeded by | Percy Joske |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
26 April 1888 North Melbourne, Victoria |
| Died | 13 October 1957 (aged 69) South Yarra, Victoria |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party |
Nationalist (1929–31) United Australia (1931–45) Liberal (1945–51) |
| Spouse(s) | Vera Deakin |
| Occupation | Soldier; company director |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Service/branch |
Australian Flying Corps (1914–20) Royal Australian Air Force (1940–44) |
| Years of service | 1911–44 |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Unit | Mesopotamian Half Flight (1915) |
| Commands | 6th Battalion (1926–31) |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Second World War |
| Awards |
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Distinguished Flying Cross Mentioned in Despatches (2) |
First World War
Second World War
Sir Thomas Walter White, KBE, DFC (26 April 1888 – 13 October 1957) was an Australian politician and First World War pilot. He was one of the first airmen trained for the Australian Flying Corps in 1914, and among the first to see action when he deployed to the Middle East with the Mesopotamian Half Flight in 1915. He was captured in November that year but escaped in July 1918. Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and twice mentioned in despatches, White began his parliamentary career in 1929 when he was elected Member for Balaclava in Victoria. He served as Minister for Trade and Customs in Joseph Lyons' United Australia Party government from 1932 to 1938, but resigned when he was excluded from Lyons' inner cabinet. He joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during the Second World War and saw service in Australia and the United Kingdom. Returning to parliament as a member of the newly formed Liberal Party in 1945, he served as Minister for Air and Minister for Civil Aviation in Robert Menzies' government from 1949 to 1951. His term coincided with the commitment of RAAF squadrons to the Korean War and the Malayan Emergency. Australia's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1951 to 1956, White was knighted in 1952 and died in October 1957.
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