Ernest Eugene Laws
William Laws > Benjamin Laws > Edmund Laws > Robert Laws > Charles Laws > Ernest Laws
Ernest Eugene Laws was the brother of my great-grandmother, Lavinia Jane Bennett Merrin (nee Laws). He was a Catholic priest who served in the First World War and spent the rest of his life in England.
Go here to see the primary sources I've used in writing this page.
Go here to read about Ernest's involvement with the Unknown Warrior buried in Westminster Abbey.
Go here to see the primary sources I've used in writing this page.
Go here to read about Ernest's involvement with the Unknown Warrior buried in Westminster Abbey.
Early Years
Ernest was born on 27 October 1890 in Campbelltown in Sydney, the eleventh child of Charles Vincent Laws and his wife, Mary Ann McGarry. He was born at the Royal Hotel in Campbelltown where his father was the licensee and where the family lived. The hotel was demolished in 1986 [1,2].
Not much is known about Ernest's early life but we know that the family was a close one and that he was loved by his siblings, particularly by Molly and Leo who were closest in age to him. He was known as 'Ernie' to his family.
Ernest's father, Charles, had been born in England in 1849 and arrived in New South Wales with his family in 1853. His religious background was Anglican however his wife, Mary Ann McGarry, was Catholic and their children were raised in the Catholic faith.
Not much is known about Ernest's early life but we know that the family was a close one and that he was loved by his siblings, particularly by Molly and Leo who were closest in age to him. He was known as 'Ernie' to his family.
Ernest's father, Charles, had been born in England in 1849 and arrived in New South Wales with his family in 1853. His religious background was Anglican however his wife, Mary Ann McGarry, was Catholic and their children were raised in the Catholic faith.
This family photo is undated but I think it was taken in early 1904. Ernie is the child with the long hair and dark jacket in the centre of the photo, standing next to his mother. On his left is Molly (Mary Doris) and on either side of them are their sisters, Olive (on the left of the photo) and Charlotte. Their brother, Bill, is at the front on the left of the photo and Norman is on the right.
Ernie spent the first five years of his life living at the Royal Hotel in Campbelltown. In 1895, when he was 5 years old, he moved with his family to Liverpool where the family lived in Macquarie Street, most likely in a hotel managed by Charles.
Around 1898, the family moved to 11 Moorgate Street, Sydney (now in the suburb of Chippendale) where I think this photo was taken in about 1904. The family attended St Benedict's Catholic Church on Broadway which was close to their home and where Molly was married in 1921. The church is still standing and in use today.
In September 1906, Ernie was just about to turn 16 when he began working as a Telegraph Messenger for the Postmaster-General's Department.
Ernie spent the first five years of his life living at the Royal Hotel in Campbelltown. In 1895, when he was 5 years old, he moved with his family to Liverpool where the family lived in Macquarie Street, most likely in a hotel managed by Charles.
Around 1898, the family moved to 11 Moorgate Street, Sydney (now in the suburb of Chippendale) where I think this photo was taken in about 1904. The family attended St Benedict's Catholic Church on Broadway which was close to their home and where Molly was married in 1921. The church is still standing and in use today.
In September 1906, Ernie was just about to turn 16 when he began working as a Telegraph Messenger for the Postmaster-General's Department.
Studying for the Priesthood
In 1896 the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) opened a grand monastery on the hill in Kensington to be a training house for their members. Ernie attended the monastery as a student (a seminarian) from 1907 until 1910 and lived there, engaged in parish ministry, from 1911 until 1913. In 1914 he was again studying at the monastery [3].
At the time, the MSC order was growing. Four MSC priests were ordained at the end of 1904 and a dozen new novices entered the school in 1905 [4].
Father Roger Purcell, Director of the MSC Mission Office in 2021, tells me that, from the years Ernie was at MSC in Kensington, it seems he must have done the Novitiate and been professed as an MSC. Presumably he then left and became a diocesan priest, which would explain why he was at Manly in 1915 and ordained from there. Perhaps his two years in Parish Ministry was a time to discern his vocation before he returned to study in 1914 and moved to the diocese in 1915 [3].
At the time, the MSC order was growing. Four MSC priests were ordained at the end of 1904 and a dozen new novices entered the school in 1905 [4].
Father Roger Purcell, Director of the MSC Mission Office in 2021, tells me that, from the years Ernie was at MSC in Kensington, it seems he must have done the Novitiate and been professed as an MSC. Presumably he then left and became a diocesan priest, which would explain why he was at Manly in 1915 and ordained from there. Perhaps his two years in Parish Ministry was a time to discern his vocation before he returned to study in 1914 and moved to the diocese in 1915 [3].
Becoming a Priest
On 30 November 1915, at the age of 25, Ernie was ordained at St Patrick's Seminary in Manly.
By April 1916 he was living at the Sacred Heart Presbytery in Rosalie in Brisbane and officiating at Holy Week ceremonies at St Stephen's Cathedral.
The parish at Rosalie had been established with the opening of a church on 11 December 1898 as the Catholic population of the area was growing rapidly. The first Parish Priest was Father William Lee [5].
Ernie was still living at Rosalie in 1916 when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
The parish at Rosalie had been established with the opening of a church on 11 December 1898 as the Catholic population of the area was growing rapidly. The first Parish Priest was Father William Lee [5].
Ernie was still living at Rosalie in 1916 when he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
World War I Service
On 11 July 1916, Ernie enlisted in the Australian Army as a Chaplain and on 22 August he departed Sydney aboard HMAT A18 Wiltshire. He was 26 years old.
There is general information here about the recruitment and duties of Australian army chaplains during the First World War.
Ernie's AIF service record can be accessed here.
Ernie disembarked at Plymouth on 13 October 1916 and reported for duty on 20 October at Perham Down. He was then sent to Rollestone Camp in Wiltshire and on 18 December was posted for duty with the 14th infantry brigade, attached to the 53rd battalion. He went to France with his battalion on 25 December.
The 53rd battalion spent the freezing winter of 1916-17 rotating in and out of trenches in the Somme Valley. During this period the battalion earned the nickname 'The Whale Oil Guards' after the CO, Lieutenant Colonel Oswald Croshaw, ordered the troops to polish their helmets with whale oil (issued to rub into feet to prevent trench foot) for a smart turn-out on parade.
In March 1917, the 53rd participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. It was spared the assault but did, however, defend gains made during the second battle of Bullecourt.
Ernie's AIF service record can be accessed here.
Ernie disembarked at Plymouth on 13 October 1916 and reported for duty on 20 October at Perham Down. He was then sent to Rollestone Camp in Wiltshire and on 18 December was posted for duty with the 14th infantry brigade, attached to the 53rd battalion. He went to France with his battalion on 25 December.
The 53rd battalion spent the freezing winter of 1916-17 rotating in and out of trenches in the Somme Valley. During this period the battalion earned the nickname 'The Whale Oil Guards' after the CO, Lieutenant Colonel Oswald Croshaw, ordered the troops to polish their helmets with whale oil (issued to rub into feet to prevent trench foot) for a smart turn-out on parade.
In March 1917, the 53rd participated in the advance that followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. It was spared the assault but did, however, defend gains made during the second battle of Bullecourt.
On 12 March was transferred to the 8th Convalescent Home in Dieppe, possibly suffering from rheumatism. At note on his file dated 18 April says "NOK advised in hospital".
On 3 June 1917, Ernie's service record states that he "ceased to be attached to 53rd Bn on marching out to Admn Hqrs London".
On 27 September 1917, after serving in England and in France for 11 months, Ernie left London aboard HMAT A29 to return to Australia, performing his duties as chaplain during the journey. Because he had been unwell it was thought that the voyage and a tour of duty in Australia might be of benefit to him.
However, it seems that there was some miscommunication regarding his position and whether or not he was to return to England. The AIF in London advised that his appointment as chaplain was 'voyage only' and should be terminated on arrival in Australia but Ernie was under the impression that he was to return to his duties in London. Consequently he re-embarked within a few days of arriving in Australia, leaving Melbourne on 21 November 1917 aboard the Nestor. By the time he arrived in London, his successor had taken up his duties so, in accordance with Ernie's wishes, his resignation from the Australian Army was accepted and took effect on 16 February 1918.
As a result of his service in the army, The Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of 9 May 1918 records that Ernie was appointed an Honorary Chaplain, 4th Class, with the relative rank of Captain.
On 3 June 1917, Ernie's service record states that he "ceased to be attached to 53rd Bn on marching out to Admn Hqrs London".
On 27 September 1917, after serving in England and in France for 11 months, Ernie left London aboard HMAT A29 to return to Australia, performing his duties as chaplain during the journey. Because he had been unwell it was thought that the voyage and a tour of duty in Australia might be of benefit to him.
However, it seems that there was some miscommunication regarding his position and whether or not he was to return to England. The AIF in London advised that his appointment as chaplain was 'voyage only' and should be terminated on arrival in Australia but Ernie was under the impression that he was to return to his duties in London. Consequently he re-embarked within a few days of arriving in Australia, leaving Melbourne on 21 November 1917 aboard the Nestor. By the time he arrived in London, his successor had taken up his duties so, in accordance with Ernie's wishes, his resignation from the Australian Army was accepted and took effect on 16 February 1918.
As a result of his service in the army, The Commonwealth of Australia Gazette of 9 May 1918 records that Ernie was appointed an Honorary Chaplain, 4th Class, with the relative rank of Captain.
The Laws family in Sydney
When he enlisted, Ernie nominated his father, Charles Laws, of 108 New Canterbury Road, Petersham, as his next of kin. Both his parents were still alive at the time and living at this address.
In March 1917 Ernie was hospitalised, possibly with rheumatism, and on 12 March he was transferred to the 8th Convalescent Home in Dieppe. A note on his file dated 18 April says "NOK advised in hospital".
On 6 April 1917, when Ernie was in France, his sister, Molly, wrote to their older sister, Lillie, saying: "We have had no more news about Ernie. No news good news I hope."
On 10 October 1918, Ernie's mother, Mary Ann, died at home in Sydney. It's doubtful Ernie knew this as he had not kept in contact with his family. The family did not know that he had returned to Sydney so briefly in late 1917, nor that he had resigned from the Australian army in February 1918.
In 2018 Molly's daughter, Doreen Campbell (nee Miller), recalled her mother saying that the family had tried to find out what had happened to Ernie via their parish priest at North Leichhardt in Sydney. Doreen didn't remember when they had made these enquiries. The priest was able to trace him to Melbourne however the family were unable to make contact with him and never heard from him again [6].
As far as I know, none of Ernie's siblings ever knew what happened to him after 1916. I wonder now whether the family tried to contact him when his mother died. Molly would have been about 23 at the time so she would have remembered this time well.
In March 1917 Ernie was hospitalised, possibly with rheumatism, and on 12 March he was transferred to the 8th Convalescent Home in Dieppe. A note on his file dated 18 April says "NOK advised in hospital".
On 6 April 1917, when Ernie was in France, his sister, Molly, wrote to their older sister, Lillie, saying: "We have had no more news about Ernie. No news good news I hope."
On 10 October 1918, Ernie's mother, Mary Ann, died at home in Sydney. It's doubtful Ernie knew this as he had not kept in contact with his family. The family did not know that he had returned to Sydney so briefly in late 1917, nor that he had resigned from the Australian army in February 1918.
In 2018 Molly's daughter, Doreen Campbell (nee Miller), recalled her mother saying that the family had tried to find out what had happened to Ernie via their parish priest at North Leichhardt in Sydney. Doreen didn't remember when they had made these enquiries. The priest was able to trace him to Melbourne however the family were unable to make contact with him and never heard from him again [6].
As far as I know, none of Ernie's siblings ever knew what happened to him after 1916. I wonder now whether the family tried to contact him when his mother died. Molly would have been about 23 at the time so she would have remembered this time well.
London: January - March 1918
Having arrived back in England from Australia in January 1918, Ernie took up residence in London. He was formally discharged from the army on 18 February 1918 and, on 25 February was living - or perhaps staying - at St Michael's Club, 28 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1.
From the club, Ernie wrote a letter to Brigadeer General Griffiths, the head of the AIF Headquarters in London, who had offered to write to Ernie's bishop back in Brisbane for him. It seems Bishop Duhig may have been wondering about the circumstances under which Ernie had ceased his employment with the AIF and what Ernie was doing in London.
From the club, Ernie wrote a letter to Brigadeer General Griffiths, the head of the AIF Headquarters in London, who had offered to write to Ernie's bishop back in Brisbane for him. It seems Bishop Duhig may have been wondering about the circumstances under which Ernie had ceased his employment with the AIF and what Ernie was doing in London.
Serving with the Canadian Armed Forces: March 1918 - April 1919
On 18 March 1918, Ernie was living at 38 Grosvenor Gardens when he became an Honorary Captain and Chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces. From June 1918 until 26 August 1918 he was posted to Buxton in Derbyshire and on 20 July 1918 he wrote a letter to the Commandant at the ADF Headquarters in London requesting some pay that was owing to him. This letter was written on letterhead from the Canadian Discharge Depot, Depot C E F, Officer's Mess, Empire Hotel, Buxton.
On 26 August 1918, Ernie was posted for duty to London and worked at the Canadian military hospital at 17 North Audley Street. The war ended on 11 November 1918, however, this hospital operated until the end of August 1919 and it seems Ernie may worked there until he resigned from the Canadian Forces in April 1919.
During this time, Ernie's service record indicates that he was diagnosed with tonsilitis on 19 February 1919 and that he underwent a tonsillectomy on 27 February. On 21 March 1919 it was noted that the site of the tonsillectomy was infected and he was admitted to the Canadian hospital at Matlock Bath to recuperate. He was found fit for service on 7 April 1919 and was discharged from the Canadian army on 12 April 1919.
Interestingly, a note on Ernie's file indicates that he was granted leave for the period 12-19 April and given "special leave transit France 21-4-19". I'm not sure exactly what this means or why he went to France but I assume he did go [7].
On 26 August 1918, Ernie was posted for duty to London and worked at the Canadian military hospital at 17 North Audley Street. The war ended on 11 November 1918, however, this hospital operated until the end of August 1919 and it seems Ernie may worked there until he resigned from the Canadian Forces in April 1919.
During this time, Ernie's service record indicates that he was diagnosed with tonsilitis on 19 February 1919 and that he underwent a tonsillectomy on 27 February. On 21 March 1919 it was noted that the site of the tonsillectomy was infected and he was admitted to the Canadian hospital at Matlock Bath to recuperate. He was found fit for service on 7 April 1919 and was discharged from the Canadian army on 12 April 1919.
Interestingly, a note on Ernie's file indicates that he was granted leave for the period 12-19 April and given "special leave transit France 21-4-19". I'm not sure exactly what this means or why he went to France but I assume he did go [7].
April 1919 - December 1919
If Ernie went to France in April 1919, what did he do there and how long did he stay?
On 2 June 1919, his file was updated with a new address: Jermyn Court Hotel, Jermyn Street, SW1. I think he probably did stay at the hotel at one point, however, this was also a mailing address he used when he was in Europe and the hotel would forward his mail to him.
The hotel was located on the corner of Haymarket Street and Piccadilly Circus. Built in 1911-1912, it was sold in 1925 and renamed The Haymarket Hotel.
Ernie's ADF record indicates under the heading "Fate" that he returned to Australia on 23 July 1919. I don't think this is correct, though the last transport with Australian soldiers and families returning home docked in Fremantle on 22 September 1919.
The idea that he returned to Australia in July 1919 does not fit with the fact that we know Ernie departed for India on 8 August 1919 aboard the S S Makura. The ship was carrying British troops to India to serve with the Indian Army during the Waziristan Campaign and Ernie served as chaplain during the voyages there and back to England [7]. He would have returned to England in late 1919 but I don't know exactly when.
On 2 June 1919, his file was updated with a new address: Jermyn Court Hotel, Jermyn Street, SW1. I think he probably did stay at the hotel at one point, however, this was also a mailing address he used when he was in Europe and the hotel would forward his mail to him.
The hotel was located on the corner of Haymarket Street and Piccadilly Circus. Built in 1911-1912, it was sold in 1925 and renamed The Haymarket Hotel.
Ernie's ADF record indicates under the heading "Fate" that he returned to Australia on 23 July 1919. I don't think this is correct, though the last transport with Australian soldiers and families returning home docked in Fremantle on 22 September 1919.
The idea that he returned to Australia in July 1919 does not fit with the fact that we know Ernie departed for India on 8 August 1919 aboard the S S Makura. The ship was carrying British troops to India to serve with the Indian Army during the Waziristan Campaign and Ernie served as chaplain during the voyages there and back to England [7]. He would have returned to England in late 1919 but I don't know exactly when.
Serving with the British: October 1920 - December 1920
Ernie would have returned to England in late 1919, however, I don't know what he did or where he lived between late 1919 and October 1920.
He was, however, back in England by October 1920 when he took up a temporary contract to serve as a Roman Catholic chaplain with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France and Flanders. His appointment began on 27 October 1920 to replace a Catholic chaplain who is noted as being sick [7].
From 1919 until early 1921, Army Exhumation Officers - including Senior Army Chaplains and Army Chaplains - assisted by Army Graves Registration Units (GRUs), worked in France and Belgium under the British Army’s Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries (DGRE). Based at Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise, their task was to extend cemeteries built during the war into central or ‘concentration’ cemeteries and to build new cemeteries. The cemeteries built during the war contained graves with wooden crosses and DGRE gardeners worked on the initial laying out of the gardens.
There were a total of five DGRE areas in total, four in northern France and the fifth taking in Belgium and some of northern France. Rev George Kendall was a Senior Army Chaplain in charge of DGRE Area No.5. In 1921, the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC) gradually took over these areas, completed the gardens and exchanged the crosses with Portland Stone headstones, together with the Crosses of Sacrifice and other memorials [8].
Ernie would have arrived at St-Pol in late October or early November 1920, joining the group of chaplains working to exhume and identify the bodies buried in the five DGRE areas.
He was, however, back in England by October 1920 when he took up a temporary contract to serve as a Roman Catholic chaplain with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) in France and Flanders. His appointment began on 27 October 1920 to replace a Catholic chaplain who is noted as being sick [7].
From 1919 until early 1921, Army Exhumation Officers - including Senior Army Chaplains and Army Chaplains - assisted by Army Graves Registration Units (GRUs), worked in France and Belgium under the British Army’s Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries (DGRE). Based at Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise, their task was to extend cemeteries built during the war into central or ‘concentration’ cemeteries and to build new cemeteries. The cemeteries built during the war contained graves with wooden crosses and DGRE gardeners worked on the initial laying out of the gardens.
There were a total of five DGRE areas in total, four in northern France and the fifth taking in Belgium and some of northern France. Rev George Kendall was a Senior Army Chaplain in charge of DGRE Area No.5. In 1921, the Imperial War Graves Commission (IWGC) gradually took over these areas, completed the gardens and exchanged the crosses with Portland Stone headstones, together with the Crosses of Sacrifice and other memorials [8].
Ernie would have arrived at St-Pol in late October or early November 1920, joining the group of chaplains working to exhume and identify the bodies buried in the five DGRE areas.
In 1920 Ernie is said to have represented the Roman Catholic church at the ceremony of interment of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey on 11 November [9]. There is no evidence to support the suggestion that he actually attended the ceremony, however, he did have some involvement with the Unknown Warrior before the body was taken to England.
In 1938, Ernie wrote to the Daily Telegraph to tell the story of having offered a requiem mass for the repose of the soul of the unknown warrior over the body as it lay at St-Pol-sur-Ternoise in the early hours of 9 November 1920. At the time, Catholic involvement was not publicised because this was considered to be very much a Church of England event. It was not until the 1930s that the requiem mass was revealed [10].
Ernie's duties with the BEF ended on 11 December 1920 and he left for duty in England soon afterwards. His record states that he was no longer in receipt of pay from 1 January 1921 [7].
The 1920s
On 2 March 1921, Ernie was in Rome when he wrote to the British War Office regarding some pay he believed he was owed and medals he may have been entitled to. At the time he was living in a hotel as he was unable to be accommodated at the Catholic college there. He mentions having "wired to Bishop Keating" (in Northampton) and asked for a permanent or temporary chaplaincy and being told the Bishop had "no vacancy" so he was clearly keen to stay in England or in Europe, rather than wanting to return to Australia.
In a second letter to The British War Office on 27 March 1921, Ernie gave two return addresses, asking that the medals be sent to the address in Rome:
San Camillo, 24 Via San Sallustriana, Rome 25 Italia. San Camillo is a church in Rome.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia, New Broad Street (EC?). New Broad Street is in the City of London.
Remarks on the paperwork: "BW and VM to be issued by Australia". So it seems Ernie did receive medals commemorating his service during the war. I wonder where they are now?
Ernie was obviously short of funds while in Rome and in March 1921 he received some money from Father John Hagan, an Irish priest who served as Rector of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome from 1919 until 1930. The letters written by Ernie - and on his behalf - to Father Hagan are held in the archives of the Irish College in Rome. Their contents are summarised in the entries below. The Dr Mannix mentioned was Daniel Mannix, the controversial and outspoken Irish-born Archbishop of Melbourne.
In a second letter to The British War Office on 27 March 1921, Ernie gave two return addresses, asking that the medals be sent to the address in Rome:
San Camillo, 24 Via San Sallustriana, Rome 25 Italia. San Camillo is a church in Rome.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia, New Broad Street (EC?). New Broad Street is in the City of London.
Remarks on the paperwork: "BW and VM to be issued by Australia". So it seems Ernie did receive medals commemorating his service during the war. I wonder where they are now?
Ernie was obviously short of funds while in Rome and in March 1921 he received some money from Father John Hagan, an Irish priest who served as Rector of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome from 1919 until 1930. The letters written by Ernie - and on his behalf - to Father Hagan are held in the archives of the Irish College in Rome. Their contents are summarised in the entries below. The Dr Mannix mentioned was Daniel Mannix, the controversial and outspoken Irish-born Archbishop of Melbourne.
From Rome, Ernie travelled to Ireland and, by September 1921, was back in England, visiting friends in Taplow, Berkshire.
In a letter to John Hagan dated 17 September 1921, Ernie mentions his intention to return to London after his stay in Berkshire. Interestingly, he also mentions that Archbishop Duhig, his 'boss' back in Brisbane, has not replied to a letter Ernie wrote to him and says he'd rather be disowned by Bishop Duhig than ignored.
This comment seems to lend support to my view that Ernie had no intention of returning to Australia after the War. I think he enjoyed the life he was living in Europe as an erudite man of the world, a scholar and poet and a man who took a keen interest in international affairs. I think he saw Australia as a backwater and sought to stay in England or Europe, even if it meant acting as a kind of itinerant priest. I'm sure Archbishop Duhig would not have been happy about this and I wonder how Ernie explained it to him.
In a letter to John Hagan dated 17 September 1921, Ernie mentions his intention to return to London after his stay in Berkshire. Interestingly, he also mentions that Archbishop Duhig, his 'boss' back in Brisbane, has not replied to a letter Ernie wrote to him and says he'd rather be disowned by Bishop Duhig than ignored.
This comment seems to lend support to my view that Ernie had no intention of returning to Australia after the War. I think he enjoyed the life he was living in Europe as an erudite man of the world, a scholar and poet and a man who took a keen interest in international affairs. I think he saw Australia as a backwater and sought to stay in England or Europe, even if it meant acting as a kind of itinerant priest. I'm sure Archbishop Duhig would not have been happy about this and I wonder how Ernie explained it to him.
By November 1922, Ernie was back in Rome, staying again at the Church of San Camillo at 24 Via Sallustiana in Rome. He had received a letter from Archbishop Duhig and sent a copy to John Hagan. I'd love to know what the letter contained.
In April 1923 Ernie was in Paris from where he wrote two more letters to John Hagan in Rome.
Return to Sydney in the 1920s?
I haven't been able to find any record of Ernie's return to Australia in the 1920s however there's a possibility he may have been back in Sydney by 1924 because one family story suggests he took on the raising of his nephew, Charles Laws, after Charles' mother died in that year. Young Charles' father, Leo Laws, had died in 1919 [11].
Having said that, all the other evidence suggests that Ernie did not return to Australia in the 1920s. My great-grandmother, one of Ernie's sisters, never mentioned him and neither did her daughter, Noreen, who would have remembered him if he'd been in Sydney in the 1920s. It's possible the family story of an uncle who was a priest became muddled with the story of who cared for young Charles when his mother died.
Having said that, all the other evidence suggests that Ernie did not return to Australia in the 1920s. My great-grandmother, one of Ernie's sisters, never mentioned him and neither did her daughter, Noreen, who would have remembered him if he'd been in Sydney in the 1920s. It's possible the family story of an uncle who was a priest became muddled with the story of who cared for young Charles when his mother died.
The 1930s
A signed copy of a Catholic Catechism dated "Roma 30 Dec 1933" suggests that Ernie may have spent time at the Vatican during the 1930s. The book was written by Cardinal Pietro Gasparri, a Roman Catholic cardinal, diplomat and politician in the Roman Curia, and was inscribed to "Ernesto Laws".
I forgot to take a screen-shot when this book was being offered for sale online and unfortunately the listing is no longer available. It was in the AbeBooks description of this book that Father Laws' attendance at the ceremony of interment of the Unknown Soldier at Westminster Abbey on 11 November was noted [12].
I forgot to take a screen-shot when this book was being offered for sale online and unfortunately the listing is no longer available. It was in the AbeBooks description of this book that Father Laws' attendance at the ceremony of interment of the Unknown Soldier at Westminster Abbey on 11 November was noted [12].
The Papers of Emile Joseph Dillon
An Irish writer and journalist named Emile Joseph Dillon (or Joseph Emile Dillon) had trained to be a priest and wrote extensively about Catholicism and about World War I. He died on 9 June 1933 in Barcelona and his papers are held at the National Library of Scotland in the Manuscripts Division (Acc.12382).
Some years after Dillon's death, possibly around 1938, Father Eugene Laws, as he seems to have been known then, met and befriended Kathleen Dillon, the writer's second wife and widow. Kathleen Dillon had edited and compiled her husband's notes and papers but her attempts to attract the interest of a publisher for a biography were unsuccessful. Father Laws took up her late husband’s cause and seems to have been instrumental in 1951 in getting the National Union of Journalists to erect a plaque outside the Dillon family home at Charles Street. The inscription described Dillon as a “Most Learned Journalist and Publicist” [13].
The library notes that Dillon's papers were given to Father Ernest Eugene Laws "by Dillon's widow, as research material for a proposed biography of Dillon. Laws transcribed and translated many of the letters and annotated some of the originals" [14]. I can't find any record of a biography however the papers include letters to Father Laws dating from 1938 to 1955, many of them from Kathleen Dillon, which shed some light on Ernie's movements and activities [15].
Some years after Dillon's death, possibly around 1938, Father Eugene Laws, as he seems to have been known then, met and befriended Kathleen Dillon, the writer's second wife and widow. Kathleen Dillon had edited and compiled her husband's notes and papers but her attempts to attract the interest of a publisher for a biography were unsuccessful. Father Laws took up her late husband’s cause and seems to have been instrumental in 1951 in getting the National Union of Journalists to erect a plaque outside the Dillon family home at Charles Street. The inscription described Dillon as a “Most Learned Journalist and Publicist” [13].
The library notes that Dillon's papers were given to Father Ernest Eugene Laws "by Dillon's widow, as research material for a proposed biography of Dillon. Laws transcribed and translated many of the letters and annotated some of the originals" [14]. I can't find any record of a biography however the papers include letters to Father Laws dating from 1938 to 1955, many of them from Kathleen Dillon, which shed some light on Ernie's movements and activities [15].
1935 - 1939
On Tuesday 26 March 1935 Ernie disembarked at Fremantle from the P & O mail liner Strathnaver. The ship was travelling on to Brisbane, via Melbourne and Sydney, so Ernie probably travelled on to Melbourne. The Incoming Passenger List shows him as travelling First Class and he gives his 'Country of Last Permanent Residence' as France. Interestingly, he gives his 'Country of Intended Future Permanent Residence' as Australia.
Ernie did stay in Australia for over a year, possibly for longer. I can't find any record of him in Sydney during that time so I think it's likely he stayed in Melbourne in some capacity. On 13 July 1936 in Melbourne, he signed a Statutory Declaration stating that he'd lost his Returned Soldier's Medal, giving his address as "C/O Commonwealth Bank, Australia House, London". He obviously planned, then, to return to London.
Ernie was back in England by about 1938 when he began corresponding with Kathleen Dillon regarding her late husband's papers and a proposed biography. They would continue to correspond until at least 1955.
On 9 November 1938, Ernie wrote to the Daily Telegraph to tell the story of his participation in the interment of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, giving his address as W1. The 1939 Register shows him living at 37-38 Clarges Street, Westminster W1, near Green Park, so it's likely he was living there is 1938. Note that Clarges Street runs parallel to Half Moon Street where Ernie would live in the 1970s.
In 1920, Ernie had been working with the British Army in St-Pol and offered a requiem mass over the body of the Unknown Warrior as it lay in a small chapel on the morning of 9 November 1919. At the time, Catholic involvement was not publicised because this was considered to be very much a Church of England event. The mass seems to have been said in secret and it was not until he wrote this letter that Ernie told the story.
Ernie was back in England by about 1938 when he began corresponding with Kathleen Dillon regarding her late husband's papers and a proposed biography. They would continue to correspond until at least 1955.
On 9 November 1938, Ernie wrote to the Daily Telegraph to tell the story of his participation in the interment of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey, giving his address as W1. The 1939 Register shows him living at 37-38 Clarges Street, Westminster W1, near Green Park, so it's likely he was living there is 1938. Note that Clarges Street runs parallel to Half Moon Street where Ernie would live in the 1970s.
In 1920, Ernie had been working with the British Army in St-Pol and offered a requiem mass over the body of the Unknown Warrior as it lay in a small chapel on the morning of 9 November 1919. At the time, Catholic involvement was not publicised because this was considered to be very much a Church of England event. The mass seems to have been said in secret and it was not until he wrote this letter that Ernie told the story.
1950s
In 1954 Ernie visited Dublin to mark the centenary of Joseph Dillon’s birth. He wrote a profile article for The Irish Times, and delivered a lecture in St Michan’s Church on the life of its famous son.
1970s
In 1978 Ernie was 87 years old and lived at 12a Half Moon Street, London W1 when he wrote his will. Perhaps he was ill or simply conscious of becoming older. Half Moon Street runs parallel to Clarges Street where he lived in the late 1930s.
It seems that many of the houses in Half Moon Street had for some time been divided up into apartments which were rented out, often to single men. It's likely Ernie lived in an apartment like this and that he may even have been living there since the 1940s.
12a Half Moon Street is now part of Flemings Hotel. This information about the history of the building comes from the hotel's website.
It seems that many of the houses in Half Moon Street had for some time been divided up into apartments which were rented out, often to single men. It's likely Ernie lived in an apartment like this and that he may even have been living there since the 1940s.
12a Half Moon Street is now part of Flemings Hotel. This information about the history of the building comes from the hotel's website.
London and Drayton-St-Leonard: 1978 - 1982
On 5 July 1978 Ernie was living at 12a Half Moon Street, London W1 when he made his will, leaving everything to his friend, Mabel Courtenay Shaw (known as Donna). Sometime after that, he moved to a house called Willowbeck in Drayton-St-Leonard, Oxfordshire where he lived with Donna and her husband, Bill Shaw.
Donna was an artist and Bill was treasurer of the Church Restoration Committee during the 1980s. For the last eight years of his life, Ernie suffered from severe arthritis in several parts of his body and was confined to a wheelchair and Donna pushed him around the village whenever the weather was fine. He was a private person but took great delight in meeting others taking the air and chatting with them and was known for his ability to talk easily with anyone and everyone [17].
Though he was well-known in the village, no-one seems to have known that he was a Catholic priest.
Donna was an artist and Bill was treasurer of the Church Restoration Committee during the 1980s. For the last eight years of his life, Ernie suffered from severe arthritis in several parts of his body and was confined to a wheelchair and Donna pushed him around the village whenever the weather was fine. He was a private person but took great delight in meeting others taking the air and chatting with them and was known for his ability to talk easily with anyone and everyone [17].
Though he was well-known in the village, no-one seems to have known that he was a Catholic priest.
Death
Ernie died in Drayton-St-Leonard on 20 January 1982 at the age of 91. He is buried in the churchyard of St Peter's Church, beneath a yellow-flowering currant bush. [17]
Ernie had worked for some years on The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and after his death the Shaws ensured that his work was published [17].
Ernie's will was proved in Oxford on 11 March 1982, with Mrs Mabel Courtenay Shaw being appointed executor and sole beneficiary of "everything whatsoever that I own" [18].
Donna died in 2010 and I found her death notice online. This makes her about 69 at the time of Ernie's death:
"Donna (Mabel Courtenay), artist, died peacefully in the Elizabeth Finn Cotswold Home on 14 January 2010, in the 97th year of a happy and fulfilled life. Beloved and greatly missed mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend." [19]
Ernie had worked for some years on The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and after his death the Shaws ensured that his work was published [17].
Ernie's will was proved in Oxford on 11 March 1982, with Mrs Mabel Courtenay Shaw being appointed executor and sole beneficiary of "everything whatsoever that I own" [18].
Donna died in 2010 and I found her death notice online. This makes her about 69 at the time of Ernie's death:
"Donna (Mabel Courtenay), artist, died peacefully in the Elizabeth Finn Cotswold Home on 14 January 2010, in the 97th year of a happy and fulfilled life. Beloved and greatly missed mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend." [19]
References
[1] Birth certificate. Copy on file;
[2] https://camdenhistorynotes.com/2016/
[3] Email dated 26 August 2021 from father Roger Purcell;
[4] https://www.towersretreat.org.au
[5] https://www.jubileeparish.com/sacred-heart-rosalie.html
[6] Email from Margaret McDermott, daughter of Doreen Campbell, dated 24 April 2018;
[7] Justin Nash's research. Email to Tim Kendall, 24 August 2021;
[8] Emails from Tim Kendall, August 2021;
[9] https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/
[10] Emails from Tim Kendall, August 2021;
[11] Cherie, granddaughter of Charles Ernest Leo Laws;
[12] https://www.abebooks.com/signed/
[13] https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/
[14] https://estatedocbox.com/Architects/
[15] Email dated 20 May 2017 from Alison Metcalfe, Curator of Missionary & Military Collections;
[16] Letter from Ernie to the Mayor of Campbelltown dated 5 January 1981;
[17] Email dated 11 May 2018 from Charles Dickerson;
[18] Copy of will on file;
[19] https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/
[2] https://camdenhistorynotes.com/2016/
[3] Email dated 26 August 2021 from father Roger Purcell;
[4] https://www.towersretreat.org.au
[5] https://www.jubileeparish.com/sacred-heart-rosalie.html
[6] Email from Margaret McDermott, daughter of Doreen Campbell, dated 24 April 2018;
[7] Justin Nash's research. Email to Tim Kendall, 24 August 2021;
[8] Emails from Tim Kendall, August 2021;
[9] https://www.abebooks.com/book-search/
[10] Emails from Tim Kendall, August 2021;
[11] Cherie, granddaughter of Charles Ernest Leo Laws;
[12] https://www.abebooks.com/signed/
[13] https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/
[14] https://estatedocbox.com/Architects/
[15] Email dated 20 May 2017 from Alison Metcalfe, Curator of Missionary & Military Collections;
[16] Letter from Ernie to the Mayor of Campbelltown dated 5 January 1981;
[17] Email dated 11 May 2018 from Charles Dickerson;
[18] Copy of will on file;
[19] https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/