In July 1947 , following the anti-Labor coalition 's victory at the 1947 election , North was appointed Speaker of the Legislative Assembly , serving until the McLarty government 's defeat at the 1953 election . Notably , as the first non-Labor speaker for fourteen years , he chose to wear the traditional dress associated with the position , including horsehair wig . Despite having held Claremont for 32 years , North was outpolled by two other Liberal candidates at the 1956 election , finishing with only 24.96 % on first preferences as Harold Crommelin was elected in his place . North died at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in September 1979 . He had received the Silver Jubilee Medal of King George V in 1935 and the Coronation Medal of King George VI in 1937 . In 1916 , he had married Bessie Saddington , with whom he had two daughters
Coronation Medal
King George VI Coronation Medal
Charles North (politician)