thomas_lodge_lillian_m-p

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thomas_lodge_lillian_m-p [2019/12/13 12:30] – judiththomas_lodge_lillian_m-p [2021/02/02 21:07] – judith
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 Photo [**scan again**] of Thomas L. and Lillian M-P with their eldest son - called Thomas of course! {{:tom_a_with_parents.jpeg?250|}}((Provenance of all following photos: T.A. & M.T. M-P))\\ Photo [**scan again**] of Thomas L. and Lillian M-P with their eldest son - called Thomas of course! {{:tom_a_with_parents.jpeg?250|}}((Provenance of all following photos: T.A. & M.T. M-P))\\
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-Tom L2 had an adventurous war, serving for a time in the South African air force, in UK, in Europe, in India (Bombay), USA (San Francisco) and finally in Dalby, Queensland then Darwin.(((Tom L2's War records, provenance TA & MT M-P)). Like his mother,Tom L2 was a keen photographer, and took photos whenever he could, especially in exotic locations like Egypt, and when involved in notable events like a visit from French resistance leader, [[wp>Charles_de_Gaulle|Charles de Gaulle]]. He rose to become Flight Lieutenant and in 1943 was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross).((//The Argus//, 26 March 1943, p.3; http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/20459.php; Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 1 April 1943; RAAF service record.)) His citation for his DFC explained that he received it because he had 'taken part in many operational missions, the majority of which have been long distance flights over enemy territory and many under difficult and dangerous conditions.' The citation added that his work was 'consistently of a high order' and that he 'always set a fine example' to others.((Honours and Awards, Distinguished Flying Cross. Pilot Officer Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior, provenance T.A. M-P.))\\+Tom L2 had an adventurous war, serving for a time in the South African air force, in the UK, in Europe, in India (Bombay), USA (San Francisco), Dalby, Queensland and Darwin.((Tom L2's War records, provenance TA & MT M-P. He is listed in the (British) Forces Air Records as Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior, Aus405024, Pilot Officer, 1943,60 Squadron)) Like his mother,Tom L2 was a keen photographer, and took photos whenever he could, especially in exotic locations like Egypt, and when involved in notable events like a visit from French resistance leader, [[wp>Charles_de_Gaulle|Charles de Gaulle]]. He rose to become Flight Lieutenant and in 1943 was awarded the DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross).((//The Argus//, 26 March 1943, p.3; http://www.rafcommands.com/archive/20459.php; Commonwealth of Australia Gazette, 1 April 1943; RAAF service record.)) His citation for his DFC explained that he received it because he had 'taken part in many operational missions, the majority of which have been long distance flights over enemy territory and many under difficult and dangerous conditions.' The citation added that his work was 'consistently of a high order' and that he 'always set a fine example' to others.((Honours and Awards, Distinguished Flying Cross. Pilot Officer Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior, provenance T.A. M-P.))\\
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 {{:toms_parents_dfc.jpg?300|}} Thomas and Lillian after his award of the DFC.\\ {{:toms_parents_dfc.jpg?300|}} Thomas and Lillian after his award of the DFC.\\
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-On 15 January 1946, Tom L2 was formally discharged from the RAAF 12 Squadron after 5 years of active war service. Then followed difficult times, just like many long-time war veterans adjusting to ‘normal’ life. Tom L2 went cane-cutting for a season, presumably in North Queensland.((Tom L2, Personal details, application to join the B24 Liberator Squadron of Australia, [c.1990])) It did not help that his elder son had to adjust to having a father present, and that another son had been born in June 1945. The difficulties for all were compounded with the breakup of [[thomas_bertram_and_lizzie_m-p|his parents']] marriage, resulting in the sale of the family home 'Birrilli’ at Leura. To add to the problems, his father had moved to Adelaide and died eight months after Tom L2's discharge.\\+On 15 January 1946, Tom L2 was formally discharged from the RAAF 12 Squadron after 5 years of active war service. Then followed difficult times, just like many long-time war veterans adjusting to ‘normal’ life. Tom L2 went cane-cutting for a season, presumably in North Queensland.((Tom L2, Personal details, application to join the B24 Liberator Squadrons of Australia, [c.1990])) It did not help that his elder son had to adjust to having a father present, and that another son had been born in June 1945. The difficulties for all were compounded with the breakup of [[thomas_bertram_and_lizzie_m-p|his parents']] marriage, resulting in the sale of the family home 'Birrilli’ at Leura. To add to the problems, his father had moved to Adelaide and died eight months after Tom L2's discharge.\\
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 Tom L2 and his family, including his mother Lizzie Kate (Dickie) and sister Vi M-P, made their new home in Southport, Queensland. Lizzie had purchased a 2-story house on a very large block of land in Bauer Street, close to where she used to live and not far from the The Southport School which Tom L2 had attended. Tom L2 drove his mother and possibly Vi from Leura up the Pacific Highway to Southport. It was a long and slow journey for, not only were there very few bridges for crossing the many rivers (this was done mainly by punts) and creeks, but the highway consisted of many winding, unsealed dirt roads once you left Sydney. Spare petrol jerrycans were essential and mechanical breakdowns on the rough roads were quite common. As a result, they occasionally had to camp near the highway on their long journey rather than at the planned towns. Lillian and the boys followed up train.\\ Tom L2 and his family, including his mother Lizzie Kate (Dickie) and sister Vi M-P, made their new home in Southport, Queensland. Lizzie had purchased a 2-story house on a very large block of land in Bauer Street, close to where she used to live and not far from the The Southport School which Tom L2 had attended. Tom L2 drove his mother and possibly Vi from Leura up the Pacific Highway to Southport. It was a long and slow journey for, not only were there very few bridges for crossing the many rivers (this was done mainly by punts) and creeks, but the highway consisted of many winding, unsealed dirt roads once you left Sydney. Spare petrol jerrycans were essential and mechanical breakdowns on the rough roads were quite common. As a result, they occasionally had to camp near the highway on their long journey rather than at the planned towns. Lillian and the boys followed up train.\\
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 Tom L2 was softly spoken and a very fit man who, for example, if ever he felt a little ‘off colour’, would go for a run or a long walk.  He always felt better after. His long battle with myeloid leukaemia finally caught up with him during a visit he and Lillian made to son Richard and family in Townsville. He died in the old Townsville hospital on 26 October 2000, surrounded by his immediate family. He and Lillian had been married for 63 years. His funeral in Townsville was followed by a wake to remember, attended by all his immediate family. His ashes were part placed around a special tree on the Darlington Park golf course and later the remainder was placed in the M-P family grave at the [[family_burial_site_toowong_cemetery_brisbane|Toowong Cemetery]] in Brisbane with many of his forebears. Lillian died, with her family by her side, in April 2002 in Coff Harbour Hospital, 18 months after her husband and 5 months after her youngest son Richard. Her ashes lie next to her husband in the M-P family [[family_burial_site_toowong_cemetery_brisbane|grave site]]. \\  Tom L2 was softly spoken and a very fit man who, for example, if ever he felt a little ‘off colour’, would go for a run or a long walk.  He always felt better after. His long battle with myeloid leukaemia finally caught up with him during a visit he and Lillian made to son Richard and family in Townsville. He died in the old Townsville hospital on 26 October 2000, surrounded by his immediate family. He and Lillian had been married for 63 years. His funeral in Townsville was followed by a wake to remember, attended by all his immediate family. His ashes were part placed around a special tree on the Darlington Park golf course and later the remainder was placed in the M-P family grave at the [[family_burial_site_toowong_cemetery_brisbane|Toowong Cemetery]] in Brisbane with many of his forebears. Lillian died, with her family by her side, in April 2002 in Coff Harbour Hospital, 18 months after her husband and 5 months after her youngest son Richard. Her ashes lie next to her husband in the M-P family [[family_burial_site_toowong_cemetery_brisbane|grave site]]. \\ 
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-Two of Thomas and Lillian's four children survived infancy: Tom A. and Richard John (12 June 1945 - 8 December 2001). This photo of Tom A. and Richard M-P was taken in July 1948.{{:tom_richard_july_1948.jpeg?200|}}  Richard married Ilma Murphy on 7 January 1967. They had a son and daughter, who in turn have four children.\\+Two of Thomas and Lillian's four children survived infancy: for details see the next generation. 
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 **For more photos, click on [[Thomas & Lillian]]**\\ **For more photos, click on [[Thomas & Lillian]]**\\
  • thomas_lodge_lillian_m-p.txt
  • Last modified: 2021/03/18 18:13
  • by judith