John Willcock

John Collings Willcock (9 August 1879 – 7 June 1956) was an Australian politician. He was the premier of Western Australia from 1936 to 1945, holding office as state leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He was a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1916 to 1947, representing the seat of Geraldton. Prior to entering politics he was a railways worker and train driver.

Early life

Willcock was born on 9 August 1879 in Frogmore, New South Wales. He was the sixth child born to Ellen (née Webb) and Joseph Willcock. His parents were both born in England and his father worked as a miner after moving to Australia.

Willcock attended Sydney Boys High School. After leaving school he worked in a bakery for a period then moved to Western Australia in 1897 where he worked on the expansion of Fremantle Harbour for two years. He later joined Western Australian Government Railways, working his way from engine-cleaner to fireman to engine-driver. He had moved to Geraldton by 1902.

Political career

Willcock became an active and enthusiastic member of the Labor Party (ALP), holding various offices in the Geraldton branch of the Engine Drivers', Firemen's and Cleaners' Union, and representing them at Federal conferences. From 1914 to 1917 he was President of the Geraldton District Council of the ALP, and he was a Justice of the Peace from 1915. On 14 April 1917 he contested the Western Australian Legislative Assembly seat of Geraldton in a by-election occasioned by the resignation of Edward Heitmann, but was defeated by Samuel Elliott. Five months later he won the seat in the general election of 29 September 1917. He was soon made a member of the executive of the Australian Workers' Union, and became secretary of the Parliamentary Labor Party.