Billy Hughes increasingly dominant in public affairs with the rise of Fascism in Europe and militant Japan in Asia. From 1938, Prime Minister Joseph Lyons had Hughes head a recruitment drive for the Australian Defence Force. On 7 April 1939, Lyons died in office. The United Australia Party selected Robert Menzies as his successor to lead a minority government on the eve of World War Two. Australia entered the Second World War on 3 September 1939 and a special War Cabinet was created after war was declared – initially composed of Prime Minister Menzies and five senior ministers including Hughes. Labor opposition
Prime Minister of Thailand Rajanubhab took over this role. In fact, the office most considered the precursor of that of the prime minister was the ancient office of "Samuha Nayok" (สมุหนายก), which was run by an "Akkhra Maha Senabodi" (อัครมหาเสนาบดี) or "chief minister in charge of civilian affairs". The first Prime Minister of Siam was Phraya Manopakorn Nititada, a judge. The title of the office was changed from "Prime Minister "of Siam"" to "Prime Minister "of Thailand"" in 1945 and then permanently with the renaming of Siam to Thailand in 1949. For most of its existence the office has been occupied by Army leaders;