Les Irwin

Who was Les Irwin?

Leslie Herbert "Les" Irwin, CBE was an Australian politician. Born in Newcastle, New South Wales, he was educated at state schools and underwent military service 1916-30. Upon the end of his service, he became a bank manager. In 1961, he was selected as the Liberal candidate for the seat of Mitchell in the Australian House of Representatives. He was the last person born in the nineteenth century, the last person born before Federation, and the last World War I veteran elected to the House. He held Mitchell until his defeat in 1972. Irwin died in 1985.