Australian Dictionary of Biography

William Kenneth Charlton (1890-1972), parliamentary officer, was born on 11 March 1890 at Balmain, Sydney, eldest son of William Apedaile Charlton, Anglican clergyman, and his wife Minnie Rose, née Day, both native-born. Educated at Sydney Grammar School, Ken enjoyed surfing. He joined the New South Wales Department of Prisons as a temporary junior clerk in 1906, transferred to the newly established Premier's Department in 1908 and in 1910 was appointed to the official staff of the governor, Lord Chelmsford. 

In 1914 Charlton moved to the staff of the Legislative Council of New South Wales as fourth clerk. Next year he was promoted to second clerk. On 28 March 1917 he married Essie May James at St Philip's Anglican Church, Sydney. He was the first secretary (1916-19) of Taronga Zoological Park Trust when Fred Flowers, the president of the Legislative Council, was chairman of the zoo's trustees, and was also the first secretary of the Bronte Progress Association. A foundation member of the Organ Society of Sydney, he played at the Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church, Waverley, and tutored students of the organ. In 1924 he published a booklet, Parliamentary Government in New South Wales, as part of the celebrations of the centenary of legislative institutions in that State.

On 1 September 1932 Charlton was appointed clerk assistant; on 21 March 1939 he was commissioned as clerk of the parliaments and clerk of the Legislative Council, positions he held until 10 March 1954. He was also House secretary in 1933-39 and joint secretary of the State branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. A tall man, with a distinguished profile, he possessed perfect manners and 'impeccable diction' which stood him in good stead throughout his career. He was a master of parliamentary procedure and was impartial to all members who consulted him.

On his retirement, Charlton was appointed organist and choirmaster (1954-68) of St Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Macquarie Street, having formerly been the assistant-organist for many years while employed at Parliament House. In 1961 he was appointed O.B.E. He died on 6 June 1972 at his Woollahra home and was cremated. His wife and daughter survived him; his son, Pilot Officer W. R. K. Charlton, Royal Australian Air Force, had been killed in action in 1942.