Ted Mattner

Edward William Mattner, (16 September 1893 – 21 December 1977) was an Australian politician and soldier who served as a Senator for South Australia from 1944 to 1946 and 1950 to 1968. He was president of the Senate from 1951 to 1953.

Early life Mattner was born on 16 September 1893 in Oakbank, South Australia. He was the third of four children born to Emily Louisa (née Hocking) and William Charles Mattner. His father was a gardener who later took up farming.

Matter was raised in Oakbank and attended the local state school, becoming a pupil-teacher at the age of 14. He later attended Adelaide High School from 1910 to 1912 and then in 1914 enrolled at the Teachers' Training College in Adelaide. Before enrolling in the military he worked as an assistant teacher at Uraidla, Parkside and Kadina.

Military service Mattner enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in September 1915. He was sent to the Western Front in March 1916 as a gunner in the 18th Battery, 6th Field Artillery Brigade. He was awarded the Military Medal for his role in an action at Ploegsteert Wood in June 1917, where he "braved enemy shells and exploding ammunition to extinguish fires in the brigade's gun-pits".