Lawrence Bede Fanning (1885 - 1970)

Born 18 Aug 1885 in Casino, New South Wales, Australia

Died 14 Aug 1970 at age 84 in Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Lawrence Bede Fanning was born 18th August 1885 at Casino, New South Wales, Australia, the sixth son of James Fanning, a contractor from New Zealand, and his English-born wife Harriett, née Van der Warden. ^[1]

Marriage.

Catholic Weekly (Sydney)
Thursday, 20 June 1946 - page 8
PEOPLE
Postal Chief

Behind the Prime Minister's announcement of the appointment of Mr. Lawrence Bede Fanning as Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, senior Public Service position in the Commonwealth, lies the story of an outstanding career.

Mr. Fanning is a son of the late James and Harriet Fanning, of Lismore, and a brother of the Rev. Father Patrick Fanning, M.S.C., Kensington.

Like Mr. James Malone, Deputy-Director of Posts and Telegraphs for N.S.W., Mr. Fanning was educated at St. Carthage's Convent School, Lismore, and commenced his career as a junior temporary officer at the Lismore Post Office in 1900.

Mr. Fanning received his first permanent appointment as telephonist at the old William-street Telephone Exchange in 1904. In 1912 he was appointed Assistant Manager of Telephones in Brisbane and returned to Sydney in a similar capacity in 1915.

In 1918 he was transferred to the Central Administration of the Post Office, Melbourne, and in 1926 became the first Chief Officer of the newly-created Telephone Branch. He retained the latter position until his appointment as Deputy-General of Post and Telegraphs in 1941.

It was during the latter year that Mr. Fanning was invested with the Imperial Service Order in recognition of his services. This honour was somewhat dimmed by the news that his son, James, was missing after having seen service in the Middle East, Greece and Crete. James was later traced as a prisoner of war in Germany and returned home safe and well in 1945.

Mr. Fanning will not be new to the duties of Director-General, as he has acted in the position for lengthy periods since 1941 during the absences of the retiring Director-General, Mr. Daniel McVey, on special war assignments.

Mr. Fanning's success is an example of zealous, efficient, untiring, unassisted effort winning its way to the top and receiving proper recognition. ^[2]

Retirement. Lawrence retired from the Commonwealth Service on close of business, 14th March 1949. ^[3] His time as member of the Australian National Airline Commission was set to expire 11th February 1950. ^[4]

Death. He passed away in 1970.

Burial. Melbourne General Cemetery. ^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ A. N. Preston, 'Fanning, Lawrence Bede (1885–1970)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/fanning-lawrence-bede-10151/text17927, published first in hardcopy 1996, accessed online 9 April 2023.
2. ↑ About 1946 'PEOPLE', Catholic Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1942 - 1954), 20 June, p. 8. , viewed 10 Apr 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article146617324
3. ↑ Retirement 1949 'POSTMASTER-GENERAL'S DEPARTMENT.', Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (National : 1901 - 1973), 7 April, p. 912. , viewed 10 Apr 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232808743
4. ↑ Harvard/Australian citation 1946 'AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL AIRLINES COMMISSION.', Commonwealth of Australia Gazette (National : 1901 - 1973), 18 July, p. 1955. , viewed 10 Apr 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article232893459
5. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/128764906/lawrence-bede-fanning