He was a member of the Liberal Party and served in the Menzies Government as Minister for Shipping and Transport (1955–1960), Civil Aviation (1956–1964), and Defence (1964–1966).

[2] His father worked as a banker and the family lived for periods in Western Australia, Queensland, and New South Wales.

His parents separated the following year and he returned to Perth with his mother and sister, living at the Broken Hill Hotel in Victoria Park that was managed by his uncle by marriage.

[3] Paltridge enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in February 1940, but failed flying training.

[2] He was subsequently assigned as a stores clerk,[3] but was discharged in December 1941 and joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in February 1942.

He saw overseas service as a gunner in the 2/7th Field Regiment, sailing to Morotai in April 1945 and serving in the Battle of Tarakan the following month.