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Of Tragedy and Valor
Lawrence William (Wallaby) Jones
1914 - 1982
Painted: William Needs
Lawrence William Jones was born near Mannum in 1914 , the youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. Jones, of Maitland.
Laurie married Freda Irene Bailey in November 1940, the elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. F. Bailey.
Laurie and Freda had five children; Daryl, Brian, Pauline, Brendon and Peter.
The couple were friends with Geoff and Shirley Rumbelow and Charlie Rumbelow was became friends with Lauries son Brian Jones, born March 1945.
Charlie worked riveting Lauries boat that was built by Harry Ewen (cousin to Bill and George Ewen). Harry built the boat using a 32 ft boat bow frame which extended the bow forward about a foot and this contributed to the very soft ride. Charlie recalls it was a lovely open boat about 19 feet long and very soft when motoring around Encounter Bay.
Charlie wrote Brian was also a bit of a legend with his peers due to his bike riding. Bike riding races were held at the Victor Trotting Track – now housing, but in the 50’ and 60’s, just around the corner from Laurie and Freda’s home.
In 1963, Laurie and Freda lost their son Brian in an fishing accident at the Murray Mouth at the age of 19. It is thought that Brian and his mate took Laurie's dingy to the mouth and it broke away from the shore. Both men went in to retrieve it and neither returned.
Known as Wallaby, Laurie would supply seafood to outlets in Victor Harbor and as well as the Rumbelow Fish Shop which was then being managed by Malen Rumbelow 5th.
In 1982, Laurie Jones fell from his boat whilst fishing in Encounter Bay and drowned aged 67.
The morning Laurie launched his boat, his youngest son Peter was meant to join him.
As Peter didn't make it, he went out alone. He was reported as late to return by his wife, and his boat was spotted off the coast by John Buttler going around in circles. It is believed his hand became caught in a rope, and Laurie was pulled overboard and drowned.
"Hello everyone, thanks for letting me into the group, I am the first son of Peter Jones ( I'm sure those still in Victor Harbor will know of him) who is the 4th son of Freda and Laurie (Wallaby) Jones. We are related to the Rumbelows through the Baileys I believe (some info in comments), or maybe even before that.
I found this group from the website, which i found because of a small article in the local paper that had a picture of my granddad in it (picture below)
My dad was shocked to see this picture of his dad in the paper, because as far as he was aware there were only 3 made.
However after looking more into this i came across the website and the Peter Matthews collection which indeed has a painting of his dad and other people he knew and some information about them.
https://www.rumbelow.net/tragedyandvalor/laurie1915
So what we were wondering is where is this painting kept currently / is it on display atm or is it only taken out for events or on request like the article says can now be done. Where we can find out more about it?
My dad would love to see it and hear more about his dad or other family members if anyone knows anything.
Sadly my dad and I missed out on the get together early this year (didnt know about it) but hopefully we can catch the next one.
Thank you very much"
HUGE SHARK CAUGHT IN NET
HUGE SHARK CAUGHT IN NET
A huge 24 ft. shark which became entangled in a fisherman's net this week attracted considerable attention when it was brought into shallow water near the children's playground at Victor Harbor.
The 2 ton basking snare was found in a set net on the shore side of the screwpile jetty near Granite Island last Tuesday morning by Brendon Jones, 20, and his brother, Peter, 15, when they were tending the nets of their father, Mr. Laurie Jones, of Victor Harbour.
With the help of their father and Dr. R. J. Leitch, who is an underwater enthusiast, the youths disentangled the dead shark and towed it offshore near the playground which is in Flinders Parade. Using an outboard and oars it took them five hours in a 16 ft. dinghy to complete the operation. They anchored the shark about 150 yards from the shoreline but during Tuesday night it drifted towards the beach in about two feet of water. A four-wheel drive vehicle failed to haul the shark on to the beach and a tractor also was unable to pull it ashore.
Mr. John Glover of the S.A. Museum positively identified it as a male basking shark (Cetorhinus Maximum). He said the species had been known to have grown in excess of 40 feet. Although of world wide distribution they are usually found in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. They have a habit of basking near the surface and feed on plankton and crustaceans. They have a large mouth with small conical teeth but are harmless. Mr. Glover said the occurrence in shallow coastal water was rare as their habitat was in the open sea.
The S.A. Museum has one of the largest casts of a male basking shark in the world. The shark proved a big attraction for holiday makers and throughout Wednesday, hundereds of children and adults viewed the monster as the tide receded. However it raised a temporary problem for the Town Council. What to do with the carcase? Bury it or have it towed out to sea? The matter was resolved when Mr. Jones decided to cut up the shark for bait.
Body found
Body found
The body of a Victor Harbor fisherman was recovered from Encounter Bay on Sunday afternoon. He was Mr. Laurie Jones, aged 67. His boat was sighted circling in the bay and the Victor Harbor Sea Rescue Squadron was called to the scene.
Surname JONES
Given names LAURIE
Cemetery name Victor Harbor
Cemetery section GENERAL
Grave row ROW 33 Plot 3443
Date of death 21/03/1982
Date of burial 24/03/1982
Type of interment Burial
Permit number 632
Burial number 1692
RETURN THANKS
RETURN THANKS
Mr. and Mrs. Laurie Jones and family, of Victor Harbour, wish to express sincere thanks to all relatives, friends and neighbours for cards and personal expressions of sympathy in the tragic loss of their dearly loved son and brother, Brian.
Will all please accept this as their personal thanks as many addresses are unknown.
Surname JONES
Given names BRIAN LAWRENCE
Cemetery name Victor Harbor
Cemetery section GENERAL
Grave row ROW 33 Plot 3444
Date of death 2/12/1963
Grave depth memorial
Type of interment Memorial Only
Permit number 632
Burial number 5368
FATAL ACCIDENT
FATAL ACCIDENT
A gloom was east over Milang on Saturday morning when it was known that Mr. Ray Hedger was killed when he collided with a motor cycle ridden by Mr. Laurie Jones one and a half milts from Milang.
Dr. Fairley, Sister Jacob and Constable Parker attended the scene of (the accident, and conveyed the body to the Strathalbyn Hospital in the civil ambulance.
Ray was employed by the Strathalbyn Electrical Services, and had a bright future before him as an electrician. He intended commencing a business of his own in Milang when the electric power was installed. Ray was very popular, of a quiet disposition and always ready and willing to assist householders with their wireless or light problems.
On Sunday afternoon more than fifty cars followed the cortege to the cemetery, where lit was peacefully laid to rest. Pastor Durdin officiated at the graveside. Much sympathy is felt for his mother, father and sister (Mrs V. Modistach, of Finniss), who are left to mourn their sad loss.
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