Photos and life story of Robert Augustus Henry L'Estrange, b.1858- d.1941

Robert Augustus Henry L’Estrange

Born: 04-08-1858 in Rathmines, Dublin, Ireland Died: 20-03-1941 in Brisbane, Qld., Australia

Father: Edgar William L’Estrange ( b. 15-11-1826 Dublin, Ireland – d. 17-4-1913 Brisbane Qld., Australia ) Mother: Frances Mary Henderson ( b. 12-10-1833 Ireland – d. 5-7-1907 Chester, England ).

Married: 22-04-1888 in Nerang, Qld., Australia ( St. Margaret’s Anglican Church ) Wife: Elizabeth Esplain Ely ( b. 22-12-1865 in Brisbane, Qld. / d. 11-8-1953 in Brisbane, Qld. )

Children:

1. Frederick Robert L’Estrange ( b. 19-02-1889 in Upper Coomera, Qld. / d. 15-07-1968 in Brisbane, Qld. )

2. Mary Elizabeth L’Estrange ( b. 04-12-1890 in Upper Coomera, Qld., / d. 25-03-1977 in Brisbane, Qld. )

Siblings:

John Henderson L’Estrange ( b. 15-1-1864 d. ? ) Alfred Hudson L’Estrange ( b. 1867 d. 1867 ) William Manderville Ellis L’Estrange ( b. 11-12-1869 d. 20-12-1953 ) Associated with the early history of electricity supply to the Brisbane area. Emily Frances Evangeline L’Estrange ( b. 4-2-1871 d. 1959 ) Edgar Francis Quinlin L’Estrange ( b. 12-91872 d. 1858 ) Mary L’Estrange ( died in infancy )

Early Life:

Robert was educated by a tutor and finished his education at boarding school ( Royal School in Armagh, Co. Dublin ). Robert joined the Waterford artillery and became a Captain. He hated the army, and his father wanted him to join his solicitor’s offices. This he hated also and to pass the time he used to write poetry. He decided to go to Africa with Sam Hudson ( son of Robert Spear Hudson – of Hudson soaps – a family relation ). In Africa they did surveying work for a couple of years. While in Africa, Robert contracted a severe fever and decided to come to Australia. He came to Melbourne and there be boarded the “LY EE MOON’ for North Queensland. He worked in Cooktown as an assistant to a surveyor. Robert then worked as an overseer at a sugar mill ( Rocky Point, Sugar Mill, near Woongoolba, Beenleigh ). He then went to a position as bailiff on a property at Beechmont near Nerang. While there he met Frederick George Walker of Upper Coomera, who operated an arrowroot mill ( still in existence as a tourist attraction ). Here he met his wife, who was Frederick Walker’s niece.

After their marriage they lived and farmed at the Upper Coomera ( currently part of the Canungra army base ) and had two children, Frederick and Mary ( Girlie ). In 1892 the family returned to Ireland. They stayed there for eight years, living for a while at Kilternan Abbey, Golden Ball, Co. Dublin ( growing fruit ). After leaving Ireland they spent two years in Bournemouth, England (1900 to 1902) where Robert worked as an assistant to an estate agent.

The family then moved to California, North America, where Robert worked on a ranch and orange orchard for two years (1902-1904). They returned to Australia in 1904.

They lived in Wellington Road, Red Hill and in 1908 built a house called "Cnoc Rhu" (Red Hill) in Victoria Street, Red Hill.

From 1908 to 1920, Robert was a member of the Freemasons "Fenwick Lodge" South Brisbane.

Robert joined his brother William L'Estrange at the City Electric Light Company (1904-1927) and at his time of retirement was the publicity officer.

His interests at home were gardening and photography. A small timber darkroom was built under the front verandah at his Victoria Street home.