Education
Born in Adelaide, South Australia, he was educated at state schools before becoming an auto worker
Born in Adelaide, South Australia, he was educated at state schools before becoming an auto worker
He served in the military from 1940 to 1946. From 1959 to 1963 he was the South Australian Secretary of the Vehicle Builders" Union, becoming its federal president 1961-1962. In 1958 he was president of the South Australian Trades and Labor Council.
In 1963, he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives as the Labor member for Portuguese Adelaide.
He held the seat until his retirement in 1974. Birrell died in 1985.