George Bowden

George James Bowden MC (17 March 1888 – 8 June 1962) was an Australian politician and soldier. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1943 to 1961, representing the Victorian seat of Gippsland for the Country Party. He served as chairman of committees (deputy speaker) from 1959 to 1961.

Early life Bowden was born on 17 March 1888 in Moyhu, Victoria. He was the son of Catherine Christine and William Henry Bowden, a farmer.

Bowden was educated at state schools at Whitfield and Benalla. After leaving school he moved to Melbourne where he worked as a labourer and commission agent. He later served on the Western Front and was promoted captain in January 1918. He was awarded the Military Cross for "his daring reconnaissance under fire and leadership in attack" at the Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin in September 1918. He was gassed and wounded during the war which affected his health in later life.

Politics In 1923, Bowden joined the Victorian Country Party, later renamed the United Country Party of Victoria (UCP). He served on the Cranbourne Shire Council from 1928 to 1938, including as shire president from 1930 to 1931. He stood unsuccessfully for the Victorian Legislative Assembly at the 1935 and 1937 state elections. His first term in parliament overlapped with his military service; he was one of nine sitting MPs to serve in the military during World War II. He was re-elected on six further occasions, retiring prior to the 1961 election.

Bowden had a "solid rather than spectacular" parliamentary career but was "a regular and eloquent contributor to debates, including through sharp interjections". He served on a number of parliamentary committees, including on the Joint Statutory Committee on Public Works from 1950 to 1958. He was chairman of committees from 1959 to 1961 and regularly presided over the House.

Personal life Bowden was unmarried. He retired to his home in Murrumbeena and was cared for by his sister prior to his death on 8 June 1962 at the Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg.