Name Thomas John | Role Politician | |
Thomas Alfred John Playfair (13 October 1890 – 9 August 1966) was an Australian politician and soldier.
He was born at Millers Point to shipping providore Edmund John Playfair and Edith Creer. He attended Sydney Grammar School and learned the meat trade in London. He returned to the family business, and from 1914 to 1919 served in the AIF. He was first with the 1st Field Artillery at Gallipoli, where he was seriously wounded, and then served in the 7th Field Artillery in France. He was mentioned in dispatches five times, awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Volunteer Officers' Decoration, and achieved the rank of major. On his return he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. From 1914 to 1915 he had been an alderman on Waverley Council. On 29 August 1918 he married Madge Hardy in London; they had four children. By 1926 he was chairman of directors of his firm. In World War II he commanded the 2nd Division's Artillery unit, and was promoted to brigadier. He transferred to the reserve in 1942. From 1927 to 1966 he was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, representing successively the Nationalist Party, the United Australia Party and the Liberal Party. He died at Darlinghurst in 1966.