Australian Officers Convalesce at Lockleys

In 1998 the State Library of Queensland acquired through the Heritage Retrieval Project the personal papers of Lady de la Rue. The scrap album was found in the attic when Mr. John de la Rue was clearing his aunt’s house in Rusper, Sussex. Lady de da Rue had noted that the album was to be sent to Australia after her death.

This is an exciting collection of photographs, autographs, letters and mementoes, compiled by Miss Diana De La Rue's mother, Lady De La Rue, when she lived at Lockleys, Hertfordshire, during WW1.
The scrap album is approximately 140 pages and contains many letters, press cuttings, photographs, Australian pressed flowers and other mementos including Christmas cards and pamphlets which were sent to Lady De La Rue, from AIF soldiers thanking Sir and Lady De La Rue for their hospitality during their recuperation and time of convalescing at their home in Hertfordshire between 1916 – 1919. The letters are written, some in pencil some in ink, from Australia, at sea, the Middle East and "somewhere" in France. There are a number from Queensland officers, including Colin Cameron of Mackay, T F Clacker of Brisbane and Eric Chester of Toowong. There is also a snapshot of the Gympie Scottish Gold Mine in 1916. However the material comes from all over.

Mr De La Rue also gave a copy of a book by Lt E A Dunn called Three ANZACS in the War. London, Skeffington, (RBJ 940.48194 DUN)

with a signed dedication, (there is also a letter from him in the album)

Box 9412 O/S
Lockleys Scrap Album
Box 9413 O/S
Collection of letters, photographs, press clippings, ephemeral materials including greetings cards, invitations and sketches

Ask for TR 2029 - Lady de la Rue Papers 1916-1919 on level 4 at the State Library of Queensland

Janette Garrad – Original Content Technician, State Library of Queensland