Politician and Australia’s shortest-serving Prime Minister
Francis Michael ‘Frank’ Forde (1890–1983) was a Labor politician who briefly served as Australia’s 15th Prime Minister.
Born in Mitchell, Queensland, to Irish immigrant parents, Forde trained as a schoolteacher before entering politics. He won the federal seat of Capricornia in 1922 and rose through the Labor Party ranks, serving as Minister for Trade and Customs and later as Minister for the Army during World War II.
Following the death of Prime Minister John Curtin in July 1945, Forde became caretaker Prime Minister, serving for only eight days until Ben Chifley was elected Labor leader. Despite his short tenure, he remains a symbol of Irish Queenslander political influence at the highest level.
Forde later served as High Commissioner to Canada and remained active in public life. His long service and dedication to the Labor movement ensured him a respected place in Australia’s political history.
Francis Forde died in 1974 in Brisbane and was given a state funeral. He is buried at Nudgee Cemetery, Brisbane, a common resting place for prominent Queensland Catholic and Irish-Australian figures.
Irish Queenslander 