Notes

Harold Edward Holt, CH 5 August 1908 – 17 December 1967, was an Australian politician who served as the 17th Prime Minister of Australia, in office from 1966 until his presumed drowning death in 1967. He was the leader of the Liberal Party during that time.

Harold Holt was born in Sydney, but lived in Melbourne from a young age. He was the first prime minister born in the 20th century. He studied law at the University of Melbourne and eventually opened his own legal practice. Holt entered parliament at a 1935 by-election, standing for the United Australia Party (UAP). He was a protégé of Robert Menzies, and was added to cabinet when Menzies became prime minister in 1939. Aged only 30 at the time of his appointment, he held a series of minor portfolios until the government's defeat in 1941, under both Menzies and Arthur Fadden. Holt's tenure was interrupted by a brief stint in the Australian Army, which ended when he was recalled to cabinet following the deaths of three ministers in the 1940 Canberra air disaster. He joined the new Liberal Party upon its creation in 1945.t's really easy to share with others.

Harold was the 17th Prime Minister of Australia. Before becoming the Prime Minister in 1966, he had been a MP for 31 years—the longest wait for any Australian Prime Minister. Born in Stanmore, New South Wales, he had a difficult childhood. His parents divorced when he was 10 and his mother died, when he was 16. Due to his parent’s divorce and his mother’s early death, he grew up as a lonely and insecure child. He won a scholarship to Queen’s College at the University of Melbourne and in college, he excelled in multiple fields including cricket, football and debating. His first love, Viola Thring abandoned him for his father. Harold then graduated with a law degree but due to Great Depression, he was unable to find employment. His father wanted him to study further in England but the worsening economy stole this opportunity from him. In the early 1930s, he unsuccessfully contested a couple of times in the federal elections before finally succeeding in the 1935 by-elections.

Harold disappeared while swimming in heavy surf near Portsea, Victoria, on 17 December 1967. Despite a major search, his body was never found. He was pronounced dead on 19 December 1967. His memorial service in St Paul’s Cathedral, Melbourne, on 22 December 1967, was attended by US President LB Johnson, the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, UK Prime Minister Harold Wilson and other heads of state and government. Harold died age 59.

Police investigators waited several days to interview the four witnesses, initially said Holt was only with one other person, did not interview his surgeon who had prescribed morphine for a shoulder injury, and ignored his political troubles and personal life.

The first police to arrive after Holt vanished while swimming at Cheviot Beach took statements from witnesses but they were not incorporated into the official police report. These statements, which differ slightly from those given days later, are revealed by The Weekend Australian today.






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