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From Ballarat & District in the Great War

The Mystery of the Gallipoli Sword

Legend has it that when “Little Jimmy” Lalor climbed the hills toward Sari Bair at Gallipoli, he was wielding a sword carried by his celebrated grandfather, Peter Lalor, at the battle of Eureka. The sword was also said to have dispatched the last of seven Turkish soldiers before the young officer was killed. With the passage of over 100 years since the famous Landing at ANZAC, the truth behind the sword’s origins and its fate have been discussed and wondered about. What is certain is that the story added another page to the already grand Lalor family tradition – and the rich Great War legacy for Ballarat and district.

Joseph Peter Lalor was the eldest son of an only son – he was born at Richmond on 12 August 1884. His father was Doctor Joseph Peter Lalor, son of the iconic leader of the Eureka miners, Peter Fintan Lalor. His mother, Agnes McCormick, was Dublin-born, having arrived in Victoria when just a small child.

Growing up in an era when the Eureka rebellion was still within living memory must have seemed almost surreal for Joe, certainly he would have heard the tales of that December day in 1854. Joe would have been the only one of the surviving children who would have had memories of his grandfather, who died when the boy was four and a half.

The family lived at Doon House in Church Street, Richmond, where the popular Doctor Lalor also conducted his practice. They were living there when Joe’s six year-old sister, Eily, died on 8 January 1893. It seems that the death of their much-loved daughter prompted a relocation to Ballarat, where the last of their children was born.

Dr Joseph Lalor set up practice as a surgeon at 10 Lyons Street south, in February 1896. By this time, young Joe was enrolled at Xavier College in Kew, where he was quickly to become known as “Little Jimmy”.

Joe was a fine student, winning prizes in the Ancient Classics of Greek and Latin. He also had the appearance of being “bookish” – noted for his ‘open countenance’ with a ‘smiling, quiet face and unassuming, gentle manner.’ But being descended from a family of Irish revolutionaries, it was not surprising that Joe was imbued with ‘a rare spirit of adventure,’ and that he would choose a life of daring over one of sedate introspection. Indeed, it was said that, ‘wherever there was life and danger to be faced there was "Jimmy" Lalor.’

After successfully completing his matriculation exams through the University of Melbourne in 1899, Joe immediately embarked on a series of grand and exciting exploits, working his way around the world.

Initially, he joined the Royal Navy, serving onboard HMS Royal Arthur. After finding the restrictive nature of the British naval system did not appeal to him, Joe allegedly deserted. Instead of returning to Australia, he journeyed to South America, where he found himself embroiled in the 1905 revolution in Argentina. Joining the rebel force against the military dictatorship, Joe was in his element. As was later observed, ‘…a people’s army fighting a repressive regime was better suited to his Lalor heritage…’

Recounting his experience in a newspaper article, Joe said that his life was one of ‘fighting, starving and excitement.’ For three months he fought alongside the rebels, until their revolution was crushed. When the ruling junta began to execute the rebels, Joe made a daring escape and was lucky to make it out of Argentina alive.

Working his way to France as a stoker onboard a Trans-Atlantic tramp steamer, Joe arrived in Marseilles with just a shaving brush, a razor, a small cake of soap, a pocket mirror, several neckerchiefs and the clothes he was standing up in.

‘…A visit to Paris followed and conserving his small cash resources and imbibing from the Napoleonic influences that Paris only can give, he continued his tour of France per boot to the south. By devious means he soon found himself in Rome and Naples doing grand opera from the cheapest seats, until almost all his money was spent…’

With his thirst for adventure still not quenched, Joe returned to Paris, where he then joined the Légion étrangère - the French Foreign Legion . Assigned to the 2nd Foreign Regiment, Joe was immediately sent to Algiers. During his time in the French colony he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and fought in the frontline during hostilities in Morocco.

Joe was in a military hospital in Algeria suffering from malaria, when a telegram arrived alerting him to the imminent death of his father. Doctor Lalor, who had suffered a heart attack, lingered for a week before dying on 2 September 1907.

Returning back to Melbourne, Joe became the subject of some fascination given his exciting escapades, and gave an interesting interview to the Argus newspaper.

"The Foreign Legion is like no other force on earth. It is made up of all sorts, the prince stands shoulder to shoulder with the anarchist, looking down the ranks one sees Russians, Germans, Frenchmen, Englishmen - even Chinamen There were two of these in the Legion, and five Englishmen. One of the Englishmen was a major in a swagger regiment, who had come to grief at Monte Carlo. I was his superior officer. I was a corporal; he a private. He was a fine chap.

Peter of Servia was once of the Legion. So was that French engineer who went out to the Boer war as engineer to Cronje. And there was a German Prince, a cousin to the Kaiser. Also there was the scum of seven nations in the way of the larger crimes. It was considered bad form to ask a fellow
where he had last come from in the Legion.

We had one man who had been sentenced to death for his share in the Black Sea mutiny, another had killed his man in a duel in Germany, another said he had killed his in South America, but it's so cheap to kill your man there that it must have been something worse than that. I know South America because I helped a revolution there and had to bolt afterwards to the British consul when things got to the shooting-against a wall-stage.

Yes, as you say Britishers have a habit of going and raising Cain in a foreigner's country and then invoking the protection of the Union Jack. But to the Legion! It was fine One's companions were the best fellows on earth and while the pay was only 1/2d a day, you could buy wine at 1/2d a bottle and tobacco at 4 1/2d a lb. And they were young men for the most part of refinement and education. Men who had fallen out in the thousand ways open to man; sent down from every big university in Europe. They were the material for soldiers hardly a man of them had anything to live for. You see, they had to be like that, because 1/2d a day is not enough to tempt an ordinary criminal to hard work. All we had in the criminal line were the bigger sorts. Yes - hard work. Besides our firing practice we marched between 100 and 125 kilometres a week-somewhere about 70 miles-through the hot Algerian sunlight, with about 80lb of kit on our backs.

The discipline was severe, and the routine as I have described. And yet, of course, with a force like that the discipline was necessary. They used to take a man to the hospital pretty well every night. A Frenchman would ask a German 'What about Austerlitz?' and the German would reply, 'What about Sedan?'' Then the trouble would begin It would be fought with anything handy-from a bayonet to a foot. The French don’t go in much for sharp things, their feet are good enough for them. Then again duelling was permitted and at the great majority of the duels one man went out. And the anniversary of the taking of the Bastille lasted for a week.

And the Legion has its honours. It is one of four French regiments which may wear the Legion of Honour on its colours. The names of its victories ranged from the Crimea lo China from the Camaroons to Mexico from Solferino to Dahomy. The Mexican exploit was the greatest. About 60 men covered the retreat of the French before 12 000 Mexicans for 24 hours. At the end of that time the force consisted of two wounded men and one unpunctured drummer boy. The latter went out with a flag of truce, and arranged for the withdrawal of the garrison with all the honours of war. So, the two wounded men and the boy marched out.

No, I didn't see much fighting in Algeria. At Ramazan – or Arumdum as the Arabs call it – they get a little frivolous and we had a few skirmishes here and there last year.

Will I go back? I don't know It's most extraordinary to be living a civilised life here, with orderly little gardens outside and a neat little room to sleep in. The legion calls-how does it go? ‘Once a morphia maniac always a morphia maniac.’ Well, the Legion is like that. Once a Legionaire always a Legionaire.

At present I am tied. But it’s a grand life soldiering and a grand regiment, the Légion étrangère – the Devil s Own "

Eventually, Joe chose to remain in Australia and pursue a professional military career. After he passed examination for the Administration and Instructional Staff, he was granted his commission in 1909 with the 1st Battalion of Victorian Rangers.

When Lord Kitchener of Khartoum was visiting Australia in 1910, he happened to be in the vicinity of a sham fight near Queenscliff, and witnessed the soldiers under Joe Lalor’s command. Seeing him bring his troops from a difficult position to a tactical victory, Kitchener, who was passing along the road immediately had the driver stop his motor car. The Field-Marshal then sprang out of the car, shook Joe’s hand, and complimented him on the result of his manoeuvre. It was said at the time that Kitchener never forgot a face, and it was wondered if they had passed paths during their respective times in Africa.

For some time, Joe was then stationed at Kalgoorlie as Assistant Brigade Major. He was then promoted to Brigade Major in Perth, taking charge of 22nd Brigade and overseeing the instructional drilling of the cadets in his district.

On 4 January 1911, Joe married Hester Alice “Hessie” Loughrey, at St Mary’s Cathedral in Leederville. With both families based in Melbourne, the society wedding was a large occasion for all involved.

‘…The church was very prettily decorated with pink water lilies and Erica and trails of asparagus fern. The bride, who was given away by. Mr. Dennehey. of Perth, wore a lovely dress of Limerick lace over soft underdress of charmeuse satin. The draped bodice had a collarless neck, outlined with fine lace. Over this was worn an embroidered tulle veil (the gift of Mrs. T. H. Woodroffe), and a wreath of heather and orange blossom, and carried a bouquet of Carl Druchi roses…’

At a time when the groom would normally give his bride a gift of jewellery, it was most revealing that Joe presented Hessie with an oak writing desk; he obviously knew that this was the perfect expression of his love.

According to the newspaper report on the wedding, Joe and Hessie were going to spend their honeymoon touring through nearby Como. The reality was definitely more unconventional – the couple pitched tents on a sequestered stretch of sandy beach at Melville Water.

Before long they were expecting their first child. Hessie had returned to Hawthorn to await the birth. On 15 November 1911, a baby girl was born at the Loughrey family home of Te Aroha in Elgin Street. They named the tiny baby Jean Bernice. Sadly, the wee babe died the following day. The events must have been devastating for both the young mother and her husband.

Their second child, Peter Bernard, was born at Miss Moore’s Private Hospital in St George’s Terrace, Perth, on 17 April 1913.

Joe (or “J. P.” as he was known in the army) was on duty in Queensland when war was declared in August 1914, and he immediately offered his services on 26 August. He was credited with being the staff officer who pointed out the site for the Enoggera camp that was to become the home for the original 9th Infantry Battalion. He was then sent to Western Australia, where he was responsible for training members of the first contingent.

When Joe completed his application for a commission in the AIF, his medical examination revealed a particularly interesting detail that raises some conjecture. He was just 9-stone in weight and had a chest measurement that fell well inside the strict requirements. His height was recorded as being 5-feet 6-inches, however, other sources claim that Joe was actually four inches shorter. Given that he was referred to as “Little Jimmy”, it seems that there was some judicial leeway applied in order for him to pass the minimum height condition.

On 2 November, Joe said his farewells to Hessie and their little boy, and boarded the troopship Medic docked at Fremantle. He sailed in command of G Company of the original 12th Infantry Battalion.

According to legend, in his baggage, Captain Lalor had secreted his grandfather’s sword – the sword the Irishman had carried when rallying the miners at Eureka. It was part of an officer’s uniform to carry a sword, which was generally more of a ceremonial nature. As a result, when the first troops began the move towards the Dardanelles, the officers were unofficially told to leave their swords behind in Egypt.

However, Joe Lalor chose to carry this family sword with him when he embarked for Gallipoli in command of D Company of the 12th, on 2 March 1915.

Now, the mystery of the sword becomes more tangible. There were many reports of Joe carrying the weapon during the early stages of the Landing on 25 April. He was said to have concealed the hilt with some khaki or hessian to prevent it glinting in the sun, and using it to rally his men forward.

The key objective of the troops was Baby 700, about 180 metres above the beach at ANZAC Cove and was connected to Russell’s Top by Battleship Hill as part of the Sari Bair Range. Within a few hours of the landing, Joe was leading his men with Ballarat’s Leslie Morshead leading a platoon to his left. Charging forward, brandishing the sword and his service revolver, it was said that Joe encountered dramatic opposition from the enemy. One account said that he cried out, “Now then, 12th Battalion,” and, as he said the words, a Turkish bullet struck him in the head and killed him instantly. Another version, which was related by his sister-in-law, Bernice Loughrey, who was working for the Red Cross in Egypt, was forwarded to the family in Australia.

‘…There is an English lady here, a Red Cross helper --and she spoke to me of a minister who had gone to the Dardanelles with the Australians. I asked her if she could find out anything for me about your brave one. and he sent me this message. He saw Joe, after the fighting was over with six dead Turks around him, his own six-shooter empty, and a great dead Turk lying across him. The minister said his sword must have accounted for the seventh and that he must have had a splendid fight and a glorious death. I'm glad to know that he went out just that way, it would have been the way he would have chosen…’

According to Australia’s Official War Correspondent, C. E. W. Bean, after Joe was killed the sword was then picked up by Lance-Corporal Harry Freame some hours later, but was then dropped again 'in the stress of the fighting at dusk.’
It was then suggested that the sword was picked up by Private Clive de Mole, who carried the relic down to the beach and handed it over to a naval officer.

The impact of that first 24-hours was felt across the whole AIF, and Private Richard Curtis, from Kalgoorlie, made specially mention of his commanding officer.

‘…I mentioned previously, we lost all our officers at that time. We were very sorry to lose poor little Capt. Lalor. He was so brave, and inspired such confidence in all his men…’

For Hessie Lalor, and her son, the immediate concern was financial. She had followed her husband and gone on to England after he left Egypt. She was, however, completely reliant on his salary, which was stopped as soon as he was killed.

Then there was the uncertainty of where her husband was actually buried. Initially, reports were not even precise as to the date of his death, stating that it was between 25-28 April. It was then said it was believed his body had been buried in the Baby 700 Cemetery, but the actual place was unknown. When a headstone was later erected, the family chose the words, “Dolce et Decorum est Pro Patria Mori. Lord Thou Knowest Best” and it was inscribed “Believed to buried in this cemetery. Actual grave unknown.”

Years later the question of the ‘famous “toothpick”’ was still being discussed. In 1940, questions of where the sword had ended up were being raised. Many, including C. E. W. Bean, believed that it was in a museum somewhere in Turkey, one commentator wrote, ‘…It is a great pity that a war relic of such Interest and historic importance to Australians could not be traced and returned to its homeland…’ The writer also suggested that Captain E. Y. Butler, an original officer of the 15th Battalion, recounted the moment he shared a wave of the hand with Joe Lalor as they moved forward, just moments before Joe was killed. Inquiries were instigated with the Turkish Government through the Australian High Commissioner in London, without result.

There appears to be no further information as to the fate of the sword. Was it picked up from the battlefield by a Turkish solider, did it make it back to the beach, or was it left on the heights of Baby 700? It has also been suggested that it was highly unlikely that the sword had any connection to Ballarat’s famous battle. It was believed to have had family connections, but not to the Lalors – that it may have come into Joe’s possession via a relative of his wife. Sadly, we will probably never know its fate or the truth behind the mystery.

In what must have been the saddest possible outcome, on 11 September 1943, Peter Bernard Lalor, a rifleman serving with the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, was killed in action during the early stages of the Allied invasion of Southern Italy.

Hessie Lalor had now lost her entire family. She never remarried and died on 9 July 1964; she was buried with her baby daughter in the Melbourne General Cemetery.