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| This Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior (23 March 1912 - 26 October 2000) was the 6th consecutive Thomas Murray-Prior. As he was the 2nd Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior, he is referred to in the following as **Tom L2**. He was born in Brisbane to Thomas Bertram and Lizzie M-P.\\ | This Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior (23 March 1912 - 26 October 2000) was the 6th consecutive Thomas Murray-Prior. As he was the 2nd Thomas Lodge Murray-Prior, he is referred to in the following as **Tom L2**. He was born in Brisbane to Thomas Bertram and Lizzie M-P.\\ |
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| Tom L2 lived at the only one of the family's family cattle properties left, [[maroon|Maroon]], until he was 7 or 8 years old. The family then moved to Southport where he attended [[http://https://www.tss.qld.edu.au/|The Southport School]]. They later moved to the Blue Mountains town of [[wp>Leura,_New_South_Wales|Leura]] in NSW because it was thought the clean mountain air would be of benefit to his brother [[vi_stan_and_hugh_m-p_and_their_families|Hugh]]'s poor health due to [[wp>polio|poliomyelitis]] affecting his leg. Tom L2 attended Leura State School then, when he was around 13 years old, went to [[wp>The_King%27s_School,_Parramatta|The King’s School]] as a boarder (1925-1929) at the original site of the school in Parramatta. His adventurousness as a young boy led to an amazing trip on a self-made canoe down the Hawkesbury out to sea to The Spit, Mosman, Sydney: for more, click [[canoe!]] | Tom L2 lived at the only one of the family's family cattle properties left, [[maroon|Maroon]], until he was 7 or 8 years old. The family then moved to Southport where he attended [[https://www.tss.qld.edu.au/|The Southport School]]. They later moved to the Blue Mountains town of [[wp>Leura,_New_South_Wales|Leura]] in NSW because it was thought the clean mountain air would be of benefit to his brother [[vi_stan_and_hugh_m-p_and_their_families|Hugh]]'s poor health due to [[wp>polio|poliomyelitis]] affecting his leg. Tom L2 attended Leura State School then, when he was nearly 13 years old, [[wp>The_King%27s_School,_Parramatta|The King’s School]] as a boarder during 1925-29 (at the original site of the school in Parramatta), leaving after he obtained his Leaving Certificate. His adventurousness as a young boy led to an amazing trip with a friend in a self-made canoe down the Nepean and Hawkesbury Rivers, then out to sea and into Sydney harbour: for more, click [[canoe!]] |
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| Tom L2's school record reveals the talents which he also displayed in later life. In his leaving certificate, he gained an A in Physics and Bs in Maths 1 and 2, Mechanics and English. Maths remained a love for all his life. He played rugby union, cricket, was in the athletics team, and excelled in both boxing and rowing. One example of his sporting prowess was that in 1929 he rowed as bow in the 1st IV. In his final year of school, he was also a ‘house monitor’ (prefect) of School House, King's original boarding house.\\ | Tom L2's school record reveals the talents which he also displayed in later life. In his leaving certificate, he gained an A in Physics and Bs in Maths 1 and 2, Mechanics and English. Maths remained a love for all his life. He played rugby union, cricket, was in the athletics team, and excelled in both boxing and rowing. One example of his sporting prowess was that in 1929 he rowed as bow in the 1st IV. In his final year of school, he was also a ‘house monitor’ (prefect) of School House, King's original boarding house. When he left King's, his record there was summarised with the comment, 'A boy of good character whom we can recommend'.((The King's School, registered no. 1272, 1929))\\ |
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| After leaving school, Tom L2 tried his luck in far North Queensland. His ventures included tobacco farming near [[wp>Dimbulah,_Queensland|Dimbulah]] with his brother [[vi_stan_and_hugh_m-p_and_their_descendents|Standish]] (Narn); tin mining near [[wp>Chillagoe,_Queensland|Chillagoe]]; and contracting to build the [[wp>Cooktown,_Queensland|Cooktown]] aerodrome. None apparently were very successful. He decided to try cane cutting at the Munro Estate cane farms at Pawngilly near [[wp>Cairns|Cairns]]. To travel to Pawngiily, he had to catch the small rail-motor train from Cairns down to the nearest railway station which was a very small station called [[wp>Mirriwinni,_Queensland|Mirriwinni]].\\ | After leaving school, Tom L2 tried his luck in far North Queensland. His ventures included tobacco farming near [[wp>Dimbulah,_Queensland|Dimbulah]] with his brother [[vi_stan_and_hugh_m-p_and_their_descendents|Standish]] (Narn); tin mining near [[wp>Chillagoe,_Queensland|Chillagoe]]; and contracting to build the [[wp>Cooktown,_Queensland|Cooktown]] aerodrome. None apparently were very successful. He decided to try cane cutting at the Munro Estate cane farms at Pawngilly near [[wp>Cairns|Cairns]]. To travel to Pawngilly, he had to catch the small rail-motor train from Cairns down to the nearest railway station which was a very small station called [[wp>Mirriwinni,_Queensland|Mirriwinni]].\\ |
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| When Tom L2 stepped onto the platform at Mirriwinni, the only other person there was ‘this very attractive young girl’. He asked her for directions to the Munro estate, but received a very cold stare and she immediately turned away from him. She was Lillian Newitt who had been taught ‘never to speak to strangers’. Another challenge for young Tom L2 but, this time, his luck changed as several years later, on 17 January 1939, he and Lillian Myrtle Kathleen Newitt (16 June 1917-19 April 2002) married in her home town of [[wp>Babinda|Babinda]].((//Cairns Post// 24 February 1939 p.9.)) She was born in Childers, a sugar town south of Bundaberg, but her family had moved to Babinda to be near her mother's family, the Grummitts. Babinda was the nearest railway station to the north of Mirriwinni; Lillian had been at Mirriwinni because she had been visiting a friend on the day they met on that very tiny railway station. Fate! \\ | When Tom L2 stepped onto the platform at Mirriwinni, the only other person there was ‘this very attractive young girl’. He asked her for directions to the Munro estate, but received a very cold stare and she immediately turned away from him. She was Lillian Newitt who had been taught ‘never to speak to strangers’. Another challenge for young Tom L2 but, this time, his luck changed as several years later, on 17 January 1939, he and Lillian Myrtle Kathleen Newitt (16 June 1917-19 April 2002) married in her home town of [[wp>Babinda|Babinda]].((//Cairns Post// 24 February 1939 p.9.)) She was born in Childers, a sugar town south of Bundaberg, but her family had moved to Babinda to be near her mother's family, the Grummitts. Babinda was the nearest railway station to the north of Mirriwinni; Lillian had been at Mirriwinni because she had been visiting a friend on the day they met on that very tiny railway station. Fate! \\ |
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| Tom was lucky to have meet Lillian on that small, isolated railway station. She was beautiful with a quick sense of humour and a very engaging, warm personality. Her private grief was her difficulty carrying a pregnancy to full term. Five days after the outbreak of World War II, on 6 September 1939, her first son was born prematurely. The couple were living in [[wp>Upper_Barron| Upper Barron]] where Tom L2 was a contractor. Their baby only lived a day, and was named Ian.((Queensland death certificate 3163/1939.)) The next year they were luckier, and had another boy, a Thomas A. to continue the family naming tradition. On 5 January 1941, Tom L2 joined the Royal Australian Air Force (60 Squadron). Given his love for mathematics, it was fitting that he became a navigator. He, Lillian and baby Tom went to [[wp>/Cootamundra|Cootamundra]] for his training. The family story is that baby Tom A. learnt to crawl along the bar of the Cootamundra pub! When Tom L2 completed his training and was posted overseas, Lillian and little Tom lived with Tom L2's parents ([[thomas_bertram_and_lizzie_m-p|Thomas B. and Lizzie M-P]]) and sister [[vi_stan_and_hugh_m-p_and_their_descendents|Violet]] at their home 'Birrilli' in Leura. They lived there for the duration of the war.((//The Argus//, 26 March 1943, p.3.))\\ | Tom L2 was lucky to have meet Lillian on that small, isolated railway station. She was beautiful with a quick sense of humour and a very engaging, warm personality. Her private grief was her difficulty carrying a pregnancy to full term. Five days after the outbreak of World War II, on 6 September 1939, her first son was born prematurely. The couple were living in [[wp>Upper_Barron| Upper Barron]] where Tom L2 was a road contractor.((Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Certificate of Service and Discharge, Tom L2)) Their baby only lived a day, and was named Ian.((Queensland death certificate 3163/1939.)) The next year they were luckier, and had another boy, a Thomas A. to continue the family naming tradition.\\ |
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| We have many photos of Lillian and young Tom at Birrilli during the war as Lizzie M-P was a keen photographer and Lillian sent the photos to Tom L2 with loving messages written on the back. When he eventually returned to Australia, the photos came back too. Like his mother,Tom L2 was also 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]].\\ | On 5 January 1941, Tom L2 joined the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) 60 Squadron. Given his talent for mathematics, it was fitting that he became a navigator. He, Lillian and baby Tom went to [[wp>/Cootamundra|Cootamundra]] for his training. The family story is that baby Tom A. learnt to crawl along the bar of the Cootamundra pub! When Tom L2 completed his training and was posted overseas, Lillian and little Tom lived with Tom L2's parents ([[thomas_bertram_and_lizzie_m-p|Thomas B. and Lizzie M-P]]) and sister [[vi_stan_and_hugh_m-p_and_their_descendents|Violet]] at their home 'Birrilli' in Leura. They lived there for the duration of the war.((//The Argus//, 26 March 1943, p.3.)) There are numerous photos of Lillian and young Tom at Birrilli during this time as Lizzie M-P was a keen photographer and Lillian sent the photos to Tom L2 with loving messages written on the back. When he eventually returned to Australia, the photos came back too. Tom L2 in RAAF [[photos]]\\ |
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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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| MORE TO COME: Waiting for war service records. | 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.))\\ |
| Also, for the birth of Richard John in June 1945- when did he return to Aust/Leura? | |
| 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.)) Click [[DFC]] for reasons he got this distinguished award.\\ | |
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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 discharged from the RAAF 12 Squadron after 5 years of active war service. Then followed difficult times for him and his family on his return to Leura, just like many long-time war veterans returning to ‘normal’ life. These difficulties were compounded when, shortly after Toom L2's discharge, [[thomas_bertram_and_lizzie_m-p|his parents]] separated and their Leura house ‘Birrilli’ was eventually sold. His father, Thomas B, moved to Adelaide and died c.1948.\\ | 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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| Soon after the fire, the family, except for young Tom A. who was at boarding school in Brisbane, moved to Cairns. They rented a 3-bedroom house in Sheridan Street for 3 years. They then purchased a 3-bed, 2-level house in Hillview Crescent in the relatively new Cairns suburb of Edge Hill. In Cairns, Tom L 2 used his China Arcade experience from the financially rewarding lay-bys. He started a new high risk/ high return finance business, Country Cash Orders (CCO) by lending money, with appropriate interest, to customers. He issued a ‘Cash Order’ for the amount borrowed. Customers would then use the ‘cash order’ to buy goods (often things like a fridge) at selected Cairns stores. The office was in Alpine Street in the Cairns CBD. Several family members contributed to the operations with loans. Tom L2 sold the profitable business sometime around 1967 to “Barter Credit Card” because he could see how the arrival of credit cards would soon make his business redundant. Lillian also worked to recoup the family finances, both by working in a bakery for many years and by managing a tight family budget. Some time after son Richard left home, Tom and Lillian sold their home in Edge Hill and downsized to a smaller semi-detached house in Holloways Beach, Cairns. During their time in Cairns, both were active in the RSL. Lillian received numerous awards for her work and was known as a big-hearted woman always willing to help those less fortunate.\\ | Soon after the fire, the family, except for young Tom A. who was at boarding school in Brisbane, moved to Cairns. They rented a 3-bedroom house in Sheridan Street for 3 years. They then purchased a 3-bed, 2-level house in Hillview Crescent in the relatively new Cairns suburb of Edge Hill. In Cairns, Tom L 2 used his China Arcade experience from the financially rewarding lay-bys. He started a new high risk/ high return finance business, Country Cash Orders (CCO) by lending money, with appropriate interest, to customers. He issued a ‘Cash Order’ for the amount borrowed. Customers would then use the ‘cash order’ to buy goods (often things like a fridge) at selected Cairns stores. The office was in Alpine Street in the Cairns CBD. Several family members contributed to the operations with loans. Tom L2 sold the profitable business sometime around 1967 to “Barter Credit Card” because he could see how the arrival of credit cards would soon make his business redundant. Lillian also worked to recoup the family finances, both by working in a bakery for many years and by managing a tight family budget. Some time after son Richard left home, Tom and Lillian sold their home in Edge Hill and downsized to a smaller semi-detached house in Holloways Beach, Cairns. During their time in Cairns, both were active in the RSL. Lillian received numerous awards for her work and was known as a big-hearted woman always willing to help those less fortunate.\\ |
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| | {{:tom_lillian_battle_of_britain_reunion_1960_20190326.jpeg?400|}} Photo: Tom and Lillian, 15 September 1960, at a dinner to commemorate the Battle of Britain.((Provenance T.A. & M.T. M-P)) |
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| Around 1975, they moved from Cairns and bought a house on the beach at Bogangar, [[wp>Tweed_Heads,_New_South_Wales|Tweed Heads]] in Northern NSW. There they made new friends and hosted family Christmas lunches in their garage, surrounded by the garden Lillian lovingly created despite the sandy soil. In the early 1990s, they moved to a demountable home in Darlington Park, Arrawarra, just north of [[wp>Coffs_Harbour|Coffs Harbour]]. Once again, their home was on the beach but, this time, it also had its own 9-hole golf course where Tom L2 proudly managed a hole in one: heaven for him! They also used this secure complex setting as a safe base to travel extensively in their caravan around Australia for many years. Whilst travelling, they picked fruit in many far-flung places. Finally, when in their 80s, they took a 3-week packaged trip through Asia. It was Lillian's first overseas trip and a big eye opener for her. After Lillian had a severe illness in December 1999, Tom became her carer and looked after her very well.\\ | Around 1975, they moved from Cairns and bought a house on the beach at Bogangar, [[wp>Tweed_Heads,_New_South_Wales|Tweed Heads]] in Northern NSW. There they made new friends and hosted family Christmas lunches in their garage, surrounded by the garden Lillian lovingly created despite the sandy soil. In the early 1990s, they moved to a demountable home in Darlington Park, Arrawarra, just north of [[wp>Coffs_Harbour|Coffs Harbour]]. Once again, their home was on the beach but, this time, it also had its own 9-hole golf course where Tom L2 proudly managed a hole in one: heaven for him! They also used this secure complex setting as a safe base to travel extensively in their caravan around Australia for many years. Whilst travelling, they picked fruit in many far-flung places. Finally, when in their 80s, they took a 3-week packaged trip through Asia. It was Lillian's first overseas trip and a big eye opener for her. After Lillian had a severe illness in December 1999, Tom became her carer and looked after her very well.\\ |
| 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]]**\\ |