Robert William McGregor Boswell OBE (30 September 1911 – 17 February 1976) was a senior Australian public servant. He was best known for his time as Secretary of the Department of National Development.

Bill Boswell
Secretary of the Department of National Development
In office
1965–1969
Personal details
Born
Robert William McGregor Boswell

(1911-09-30)30 September 1911
Carlton, Melbourne
Died17 February 1976(1976-02-17) (aged 64)
Lucas Heights, Sydney
NationalityAustralia Australian
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
OccupationPublic servant

Life and career

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Bill Boswell was born on 30 September 1911 in Carlton, Melbourne.[1]

From 1958, Boswell was Director of the Weapons Research Establishment at Salisbury in South Australia.[2]

Between 1965 and 1969, Boswell was the Secretary of the Department of National Development.[3]

Boswell died in Lucas Heights, Sydney on 17 February 1976.[1]

Awards

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While a research scholar at University of Melbourne, Boswell worked in a team of four using radio direction-finding to trace the movement of thunderstorms associated with cold fronts crossing the southern part of Australia, and for his work was awarded a Fred Knight scholarship.[1]

Boswell was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in May 1956 for his role in guided weapons development.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Lawrence, T.F.C., "Boswell, Robert William McGregor (1911–1976)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 27 September 2014
  2. ^ "The man who made it all possible". The Canberra Times. 1 February 1965. p. 2.
  3. ^ CA 56: Department of National Development [I], Central Office, National Archives of Australia, archived from the original on 16 March 2016, retrieved 27 September 2014
  4. ^ "Search Australian Honours: BOSWELL, Robert William McGregor", itsanhonour.gov.au, Australian Government, archived from the original on 27 September 2014
Government offices
Preceded by Secretary of the Department of National Development
1965 – 1969
Succeeded by