Edward Costello (politician)

Edward Costello (7 February 1883 – 27 June 1967) was a soldier, and member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.[1]

Major Edward Costello
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Carnarvon
In office 9 Oct 1920 – 11 May 1935
Preceded by	Donald Gunn
Succeeded by	Paul Hilton
Personal details
Born	Edward Costello 7 February 1883 Thane's Creek, Queensland, Australia
Died	27 June 1967 (aged 84) Warwick, Queensland, Australia
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Country and Progressive National Party
Other political affiliations	Country Party
Spouse(s)	Ruth Evelyn Harn (m.1924 d.1969)
Occupation	Soldier, Grazier

Early days

Costello was born in Thane's Creek near Warwick, Queensland, to parents James Costello, and his wife Elizabeth Mary (née Ham) and educated at Thane State School. He followed in his father's footsteps in becoming a grazier but soon after the outbreak of World War One he joined the military and was the commanding Officer of the 25th Battalion in the Australian Military Forces and a major of the 11th Light Horse Regiment.[1]

Lieutenant Edward Costello in 1915

He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for bravery during the charge of Semakh, on the Sea of Galilee on the 25 September 1918. This action was claimed to be the only charge ever made by the British Cavalry before daylight. In 1919 he was the Chairman of the Military Courts for the Egyptian Rebellion. In 1924 his family purchased Seagoe, a Grazing property at Thane.[1] the Costello family took up mining grazing leases at Thanes Creek in 1881.

Political career

In 1920, Costello, as a Country Party candidate, won the seat of Carnarvon in the Queensland Legislative Assembly. In 1925 the party merged into the Country and Progressive National Party and Costello held Carnarvon until his defeat in 1935.[1]

Personal life

In 1924, Costello married Ruth Evelyn Harn (died 1969)[2] and together had two sons and two daughters.[1] He was a stalwart of the RSL Warwick Subbranch and a former patron of the Spurs and Feathers Club.[1]

Costello died at Warwick in 1967 after suffering a long illness.[1]

References

1. "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
2. Family history research — Queensland Government births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. Retrieved 26 February 2016.