PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS-: PMI No. 71/ 1971
DEA7H OF SIR FREDERICK SHEDDEN
Statement by-the Prime Minister, Mr. William McMahon
It is with deep regret that I learnt of the death of Sir
Frederick Shedden. Sir Frederick had a long and distinguished career in the
Commonwealth Public Service and was an eminent figure in defence
administration. He was Secretary of the Defence Department from 1937 to
1956, spanning the critical years of World War 11 and the unsettled period
which followed. From 1.939 to 1946 he was Secretary of War Cabinet and from
1943 to 1945 Secretary of the Advisory War Council.
Earlier in his career Sir Frederick Shedden was attached to
the British Cabinet Office and the Committee of Imperial Defence where
he was closely associated with Lord Hankey.
Sir Frederick participated in many important overseas
missions with the Prime Minister and Minister for Defence.
On the basis of experience during World War II, Sir Frederick
Shedden had developed arrangements in the Defence Department which had
laid the foundations for closer co-ordination and direction of defence policy
and administration. The Prime Minister said that Sir Frederick Shedden would be long
remembered for his outstanding service to Australia.
On behalf of the Government I extend sympathy to his widow.
CA NBERRA
9 July 1.971