Ph:03 5571 2774
305 Gray Street,
Hamilton Vic.
3300
Peter Mulcahy
Public Accountant, Reg.Tax Agent
Professional National Accountant
About Lawrenny:
Lawrenny" was originally granted to Lieutenant Edward Lord, R.M., in 1821, who named the property after has ancestral home in
Wales. Lieutenant Lord arrived in the colony of Van Diemen's Land in 1804 with Lieutenant-Governor David Collins.
Situated on both sides of the Lyell Highway between the towns of Hamilton and Ouse, and between the Clyde, Derwent and Ouse rivers, "Lawrenny" with its highland outstations, was purchased by H J Brock for his sons, Eric, Harold and Claude in 1896. It was one of the largest and most productive properties in Tasmania, producing about 1,000 bales on Merino wool and 1,000 Hereford calves annually.
Claude sold his share of the properties to his brothers, and went to farm at Swan Hill, Victoria.
Harold Brock was the only brother to have children, a daughter and two sons. Harold's sons, Henry James and Harold Eric, enlisted in the RAAF at the beginning of World War Two. They served with 455 squadron operating from England over Europe, with bomber and coastal commands.
Unfortunately, like many airmen who served in bomber command, they both lost their lives. Flying Officer Henry James (27/02/45, air battle North Sea) and Warrant Officer Harold Eric (10/08/44, air battle NW Europe)
Of the 71,000 English, Colonial and Polish airmen lost in WW II 66% or 2/3 were from Bomber Command. "Lancaster - a bombing legend", p.20, R. Raddell & M. Vines, 1993, Osprey Publishing.
After the war the Brock family, in what was a magnanimous gesture on their part, made "Lawrenny" and its supporting properties "Bashan",
"Rotherwood", "Shawfield", "Clarendon", "Macclesfield", "The Point", "Triangle" and "Rathlyn" available to the Closer Settlement Board for settlement of ex-service men.
The subdivision of these estates achieved the highest aspirations and expectations of all those people concerned with post war reconstruction. The settlers, their wives and families, descendants and successors have made a notable contribution to the development and prosperity of the region.
Prepared by the Central Highlands Council, for Australia Remembers 1945 - 1995, being the 50th Anniversary to mark the end of World War II, Ouse, 20/08/1995.
© Peter Mulcahy 2006
Last updated Friday 3rd September 2010
