Edwin Kerby

Edwin Thomas John Kerby (12 April 1885 – 5 July 1971) was an Australian politician. Born in Ballarat, Victoria, he attended Grenville College before becoming a mining engineer and electrical contractor. He served in World War I from 1914 to 1919. During his service he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.[1] In 1919, he was selected as the Nationalist candidate for the Australian House of Representatives seat of Ballaarat, and defeated sitting Labor MP Charles McGrath by one vote, the closest result ever recorded for the House of Representatives. McGrath successfully challenged Kerby's election in the courts,[2] and a by-election was held in 1920 and won by McGrath. Kerby became a businessman, focusing mainly on aviation, and became prominent among ex-servicemen's causes; he held the leadership of the RSL. He died in 1971.[3]

Edwin Kerby
Member of the Australian Parliament for Ballaarat
In office 13 December 1919 – 2 June 1920
Preceded by	Charles McGrath
Succeeded by	Charles McGrath
Personal details
Born	12 April 1885 Ballarat, Victoria
Died	5 July 1971 (aged 86)
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Nationalist Party of Australia
Occupation	Mining engineer

References

1. "Edwin Thomas John Kerby". UNSW Australia. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
2. Kean v Kerby [1920] HCA 35, (1920) 27 CLR 449.
3. Carr, Adam (2008). "Australian Election Archive". Psephos, Adam Carr's Election Archive. Archived from the original on 20 July 2007. Retrieved 2008-06-08.