Background
Rankin was born at Bamawm, Victoria, the tenth child of Irish farmer James Rankin and Sarah, née Gallagher.
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George Rankin
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Education
He attended the local state school and became a farmer.
Career
He served in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, representing the Country Party of Australia. In 1907, he joined the Militia, and was commissioned in the 9th Light Horse Regiment in 1909. In 1914, he was appointed a lieutenant of the Australian Imperial Force and posted to the 4th Light Horse Regiment.
Rankin served in the 4th Light Horse Regiment and reached Gallipoli in May 1915, was wounded in July, became a captain in December, and a major in March 1916.
He also served in the Sinai, and was second in command of his unit from August 1917. His leadership subsequently earned him a Bar to his Defence Science Organisation. After the conclusion of the war, Rankin was sent to Egypt to suppress a rebellion, after which he returned to Australia.
He returned to the Militia, becoming a brigadier in 1936 and a major general in 1937. During this time, he developed an interest in politics, in particular the Country Party.
Rankin was elected chief president of the Victorian United Country Party (VUCP) in 1937, but resigned later that year in order to contest the seat of Bendigo in the Australian House of Representatives.
However, he was forced to back down on this by the State council of the VUCP. Rankin became well known as an advocate of returned servicemen and wheat-farmers. He was a voracious critic of the Labor governments of John Curtin and Ben Chifley. He was returned in 1951, but his parliamentary activity steadily decreased.
He remained an active and vigorous anti-communist until his retirement, due to ill health, in 1955.
Achievements
Politics
He was elected, and became part of the faction of the Country Party that advocated coalition with the United Australia Party.
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Born
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Died
December 28, 1957 (aged 70) -
Political Party
National Party of Australia