Hector Clayton

Major Sir Hector Joseph Richard Clayton, ED (3 June 188518 July 1975) was an Australian politician, solicitor and soldier. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council for 36 years from 1937 to 1973 representing the Liberal Party and its predecessor, the United Australia Party, becoming Leader of the New South Wales Opposition in the Legislative Council from 1960 until 1962.

Early years and military career Hector Joseph Richard Clayton was born in Surry Hills, New South Wales in 1885, the son of solicitor John Horatio Clayton and Isabel Woodward. After being educated at Sydney Grammar School, Clayton undertook studies at the University of Sydney, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (1907) and a Bachelor of Laws (1910). After qualifying as a solicitor in 1911, Clayton was made a partner in his father's firm, John H.Clayton and Son from 1911 until 1920. On 24 July 1917 he married Phyllis Edith Midwood at the parish church, Market Drayton, Shropshire.

Political career A distinguished though uncombative member in the council, Clayton eventually succeeded as the Leader of the New South Wales Opposition in the Legislative Council, in 1960. His most significant achievement was found in attacking the Labor Government's attempts to abolish the Legislative Council, leading the campaign through the Supreme Court and the High Court of Australia and the subsequent referendum in April 1961, which overwhelmingly rejected the abolition proposal and marked the decline of the Labor government that had been in power since 1941. He stood down as leader in 1962, after problems with the leadership of the Liberal Party. He continued serving on the council until his retirement aged 88 in 1973. Survived by his two sons and a daughter, he died aged 90 on 18 July 1975 at Paddington and was cremated.