Born in 1874 to Robert Lee and his wife Margaret Flood, Walter Lee was, like Solomon, a product of Longford State School. From there, however, their paths diverged.

While Solomon excelled academically, Lee went straight from primary school into his father's wheelwright business.

In 1898 he married Margaret Barnes and afterwards set up Lee Brothers with his brother James. The firm became well-known for their wagons and farming equipment.

Lee entered parliament representing Wilmot (now Lyons) as a conservative in 1909 and quickly gained a reputation for debate.

When Norman Ewing became a judge in September 1915, the Opposition needed a new leader.

The obvious candidates were Captain Jack Evans and Sir Elliott Lewis, but neither expressed interest. Who was in the job made little difference, as a formal agreement had been made with the Labour Government to work through the war without the threat of no-confidence motions. So Lee, then deputy, took over the role.

A move to delay elections failed to gain Upper House approval, and at the 1916 election Lee's anti-Labor coalition won narrowly. While Lee lacked the brilliance of Solomon, or the urbanity of Captain Evans, he was efficient and increased his majority in 1919.

Unfortunately his conservatism and sharp tongue eventually alienated his colleagues, and despite gaining a knighthood in 1920, he was asked by his caucus to step down in 1922.

He vehemently refused, however, and was chairman of the meeting. When a motion to confirm his leadership was put, he ruled it passed on the voices without allowing a show of hands.

His autocratic manner caused a group to break away from the government and form a Country Party. When parliament resumed, they moved no-confidence, saying it seemed the only way to remove Lee from his position without dynamite or a team of bullocks.

In the chaos that followed, Lee had to resign, but a year later returned as premier for two months before his colleagues turned on him, again a result of his own actions.

In an environment of concern at rapidly deteriorating government finances, he challenged his party not to plot behind his back, but to state their position on the floor of parliament "like men". So they did, passing no-confidence in their own government.

Tasmania had had enough and turned to Labor under Joe Lyons.

Remarkably, in 1934 Sir Walter had another go at the Premiership.

It came about when Premier McPhee was forced by ill-health to resign. An election was due and the conservatives needed an efficient and reliable performer.

Though narrowly winning the primary vote, the Lee government then fell when independents decided to back Albert Ogilvie.

They didn't know it, but this began an extraordinary 35 years of Labor rule - the longest Labor government of any in Australia.