the Australian Labor Party candidate, Frank Kirwan. His defeat at a time when the government of which he was a part was generally secure was attributed in part to his statements about relations with Russia, but also to discontent by farmers in his largely rural electorate who were suffering a degree of economic recession at the time. Freeth was Ambassador to Japan from 1970 to 1973 and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 1977 to 1980. Death Freeth died in Perth in 2001, predeceased by his wife, but survived by his three children. Honours Freeth was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in 1978. References 1914 births 2001 deaths Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of Australia Members of the Australian House of Representatives Members of the Australian House of Representatives for Forrest Australian Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire Australian politicians awarded knighthoods Members of the Cabinet of Australia Australian ministers for Foreign Affairs Royal Australian Air Force officers Rowers at the 1938 British Empire Games Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia People educated at Guildford Grammar School High Commissioners of Australia to the United Kingdom Permanent Representatives of Australia to the International Maritime Organization Ambassadors of Australia to Japan Australian male rowers People from Angaston, South Australia Commonwealth Games medallists in rowing 20th-century Australian politicians University of Western Australia alumni People educated at Sydney Church of England Grammar School 20th-century Australian public servants Royal Australian Air Force personnel of World War II Australian World War II pilots Medallists at the 1938 British Empire Games