O’Leathlobhair Line From Laois , Ballarat & beyond Edition 9 - March 2015 GALLIPOLI HERO:CAPTAIN JOSEPH PETER LALOR It’s 100 years since Joe Lalor, known to his comrades as ‘Little Jimmy’ died a hero on the slopes of Baby 700, Gallipoli . That was the first day of the ANZACs ’ landing – April 25 1915. Joe Lalor, son of Dr Joseph and Agnes Lalor and grandson of Eureka’s Peter Lalor was an amazing character. Alongside Peter Lalor’s cousin, Field Marshall Joseph O’Lawlor of Spanish fame, Joe was probably the greatest of the Lalors’ military leaders. One of his obituaries states that “wherever Margot Coogantrouble and fighting were in evidence, Captain Lalor was to be found.” Born in Richmond in 1884, educated at Xavier College, Kew, Joe joined the British Merchant Navy before deserting and aliening himself with a revolutionary force He embarked from Fremantle on board i n Argentina. In typical Lalor tradition he Transport A7 Medic on 2 November 1914. was fighting with the people’s army against At 8.30am on 25 April,1915, Joe Lalor a military backed dictatorship. When the led his men in an advance on Baby 700 hill rebels were defeated he made a daring – part of the Sari Bair Ranges. The hill was escape out of South America and became won and lost twice on that day. The History th a member of the French Foreign Legion . of the 12 Battalion records: Apparently he made good friends amongst “Lalor then moved forward on the the legionnaires however the pay was seaward slope of Baby 700 where the lousy. Following a number of notable fighting was thickest. Although the mental incidents he was invalided out of the legion strain and anxiety, which he had and returned to Australia where he experienced since landing early in the continued his army career, in morning had been enormous, he never-the administration and instructional roles. less rallied his men and waving his arms On 4 January 1911 he married Hester shouted “Come on, the 12th”. The words Loughrey in Perth. Hessie was a member had hardly passed his lips when he fell of a prominent Melbourne family of lawyers dead, and the 12th lost one of its most and doctors. gallant capable officers. Joe enlisted for military service on 26 “Although small in stature, Little August 1914 in the 12th Battalion. Jimmy’s heart was large…his vitality was almost inexhaustible.” EUREKA – 160th ANNIVERSARY CELEBARATIONS The importance, the fragility and the justice of Australia’s democracy were emphasized during the week long 160th Eureka celebrations in Ballarat. It was a very significant time for the Lalor family, not only because of their presence but the level of their involvement in the activities and discussions. Pivotal for the Lalors was having the participation of its international Chieftain and Ambassador, Margot Coogan. Margot Coogan installs the Leader ‘Lalors Australia’ “One hundred and sixty years ago, Pictured with Peter and Margot is Sue Lalor White. Peter Lalor was the central leader at the Bakery Hill meetings; so today it was O’Brien. The Chieftain also met executive and board members of The Museum of important to have another Lalor leader Australian Democracy at Eureka. involved. Margot carried out her role with style. So too did Peter Lalor’s great-great One of Margot Coogan’s most important grand daughter Sue Lalor White and two duties was to install Peter Lalor Philp as members of the younger generation, the second Leader of ‘Lalors Australia’ Nainalicia and Daniel Lalor Philp,” Leader beneath the state of Peter Lalor in Sturt St. of ‘Lalors Australia’, Peter Lalor Philp said. Ballarat. As part of the installation, Margot The family were official guests at the gave Peter the Lalor Blessing. Peter dawn ‘Blood on the Southern Cross’; replaces Alicia Lalor Christie who served as the first leader. ‘Welcome to the Country and Smoking Ceremony’ with Elder Uncle Bryon Power; Sue Lalor White organized and hosted the Alicia Dunne Dinner at the North Britain ‘The Raising of the Recreated Eureka Hotel. Flag’; ‘The Memorial Service’; ‘Unveiling of the Statue of the Pikeman’s Dog’; The Lalors enjoyed afternoon tea with the ‘Walking the Pathway of Eureka’s Fallen’ Howard family whose ancestors were and a theatre presentation of ‘Demanding prominent at Eureka. Eric Howard is the Democracy’. President of Eureka’s Children and brother Shane is one of Australia’s leading folk singers. Following the celebrations in Ballarat, Margot spent time with Eileen Mount, writer and member of the Carroll family who were instrumental in rescuing Peter Lalor from Ballarat and taking him to Alicia Dunne in Geelong. “I would like to congratulate Margot for all the passion and energy she put into this important trip to her second home, Ballarat. Margot was going from dawn till night meeting people and acting as a splendid representative not only for ‘Lalors Australia’ but also the international O’Leathlobhair Clan, ” said Peter Lalor Philp ‘Lalors Australia’ is proud to be associated Some of the players in Demanding Democracy with the Museum of Australian Democracy While in Ballarat, Margot Coogan met the at Eureka and Eureka’s Children both of Irish Ambassador in Australia, Tom White whom made a major contribution to making and the former Irish Ambassador,Richard these celebrations an outstanding success. FROM THE STOCKADE When I was young, the outline was clear but the substance was vague. I grew up in a proudA postcard Lalor written household by Dr wherePeter Anthony the Lalor Peter was the grandson of Eureka’s P exploits of the past were frequently ( -- spoken about. JAMES FINTAN PRESENTATION However the whys and hows of our historic story were not really understood. Peter Lalor was a great leader of the A missing historic figure from the Eureka diggers who stood up for what was right story has found a home in Ballarat – James against a bad government that was Fintan Lalor. Every history and story about British, protestant and which had invaded Eureka and its leader refers to the influence Ireland. His large portrait hanging in our and connection of James Fintan on his hallway, gowned and wigged, constantly younger brother. When James Fintan’s reminded me that he was also a famous statue was unveiled outside the County politician. Offices in Laois, a plaque was attached My understanding was wanting. The proclaiming the deeds of Peter at Ballarat. only Irish relative that I had known was The famous Ray Scanlon folk song, James my grandmother ‘Iee’ and it was years Fintan Lalor also tells the story of Eureka. before I learnt that the Lalors came from However there has never been a physical Queens County, a term I used until recognition of James Fintan in Ballarat until abruptly reminded one day that the Irish now. Lalors would not appreciate me calling it During Margot Coogan’s visit for the Queens County. th 160 Eureka celebrations, the Chieftain Reading the historic story and presented the Museum of Australian exploring the issues, I began to Democracy at Eureka with a limited edition understand the complexities of the Lalor print of the Irish rebel. The print is part of the history. Yet homeland Ireland still excellent collection highlighting James remained a distant emerald isle made Fintan by prominent Irish artist Brendon famous by St Patrick. Deacy. The collection was recently exhibited Christine Lalor Gillespie was the first by Deacy at the James Fintan Lalor School Australian to go to Ireland in nearly a in Laois. century. She opened the way for a Margot Coogan’s presentation was made number of us to visit, participate in clan before a live audience in the museum’s meetings and better appreciate our theatre to M.A.D.E’s CEO, Jane Smith. culture. The reaction has been so good that the ‘Lalors Australia’ is important because museum and Brendon Deacy are in we are no longer isolated and vague. negotiations about bringing the exhibition to Margot Coogan as a reigning Chieftain Ballarat maybe next year. has played a major part in helping to The original oil collection, titled Siorai, internationalize us.Fr Terry Southerwood (Eternal), displays Lalor’s words and has introduced us to the Tasmanian Deacy’s pictures. Lalors and through Angelia Janda in In 1847 James Fintan declared the Grand Rapids, to North American Lalors. government of Ireland to be ‘null and void as Now we are about to build another of moral effect’. Brendon Deacy asks: ‘What broader Lalor link of understanding. has changed?' Hopefully the Brendon Deacy exhibition of ‘Lalors Australia’ is delighted that the James Fintan Lalor will come to Ballarat. exhibition is likely to come to Ballarat. Let’s move forward with pride. Peter L.P Patrick moved away from working in TENAKI LL TO WILLIAMSTOWN the mines and took up employment in the By railways. This finally took his family to Esther Lalor Sunbury where he was the railway “waterman” and “locomotive pumper”. Thomas Lalor, one of the sons of Patrick Patrick and Mary had three children – and Ma ry Lalor of ‘Tenakill’, was born Thomas, Catherine and Patrick. in1790. Patrick Lalor died in 1897 and the Thomas married Catherine Kelly and family moved to 74 Yarra Street they produced Peter, Michael, Catherine, Williamstown. Their son Thomas married Mary, Patrick, Thomas, Wlliam, Patrick, Bessie Brooks who gave him a son James and John. Thomas. It was at the birth of her second It is interesting to note that the baptismal child that Bessie died leaving Thomas with records of the family list the child as Lalor the young Tom to raise.