Harry Bolton

Harry Edward Bolton was born on 24 December 1870 in Peckham, London. He emigrated with his family to Western Australia at the age of 16, arriving on 21 June 1887. Bolton began working on the railways in 1890 where he became involved in the trade union movement. In 1900, he was elected president of the Enginedrivers', Firemen and Cleaners' Union. ==Political career==

Bolton stood in the 1904 election for the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia in the North Fremantle electoral district, winning the seat. A royal commission dismissed the allegations. The Premier of Western Australia moved to censure Bolton following the commission's report. At the 1917 election, Bolton narrowly lost his seat to Samuel Rocke whilst away on active service in France during World War I. On his return from service in France, Bolton advocated for better treatment of returned servicemen. He was of the opinion that soldiers should have direct representation in parliament and that the existing parties did not adequately serve those who had fought for their country. He contested the Legislative Council seat of West Province as an independent candidate, advocating for soldiers' rights, in the 1919 by-election, losing to Labor's Alexander Panton. Bolton stood in the 1922 Australian federal election in the division of Perth, losing to Edward Mann of the Nationalist Party. ==Military career==

During World War I, Bolton enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 23 February 1916 whilst a serving member of parliament serving in the 59th Broad Gauge Railway Operating Company, 3rd Railway Corps. He gained the rank of lieutenant. ==Personal life==

On 1 December 1892, Bolton married Alice Matthews at Johnston Memorial Congregation Church in Fremantle. The couple had five children. Alice died in 1936. His eldest child, Laura Mildred Bolton, died in 1904 at the age of nine. ==Death==

Bolton died in Shenton Park on 18 August 1956 at the age of 85. He was interred at Karrakatta Cemetery. ==References==