Charles Edward Norman Leith-Hay and Louisa Henrietta Valdivia O’Neill

These portraits are at the Hall and held by the N.T.S.

Uncle Charlie was born on the 9th of October in Ipswich Queensland, Australia to his parents James L-H and Maria Catherine Gray. (QLD Reg Birth 1858/1299)

The chapter on his life in the1958 family book describes his life best and as this was penned by his widow it will also be left unchanged. Charlie’s younger days in Australia were spent at Ipswich and Rockhampton with his siblings and his schooling was done at the Ipswich Grammar School (student number 183) enrolled from 1870 to 1875. His love for acting can be seen in the local record providing details on his participation in school plays and later elocution classes at Ipswich. The Sydney Morning Herald of Thurs 20th Feb 1879 also having him dressed in the role of Thaddeus a noble Polish fugitive exiled in Austria from the play The Bohemian Girl for the Mayor’s Ball.

The below article is from Press and Journal  Tue May 30 1939. p3 as well as the photo and as it is unsigned it’s copyright expired in 2009 or 70 years from it’s publication for the article and photo. Credits to Press and Journal and Newspaper Archives. An earlier pre 1920’s article on the origin of Henrietta’s painting above can also be obtained at Leith_Hall_Garden_Party_Tenantry_entertained. The latter being scanned here in Australia after being brought over back in the day.