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Sir Anthony Langlois Lefroy (1881–1958)

Sir Anthony Lefroy, n.d.

Sir Anthony Lefroy, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 18 November 1958

Sir Anthony Langlois Bruce Lefroy, who died in Perth on 1st November, was a member of one of Western Australia's pioneering families, and one who had carried on and added to a worthy tradition. His life was full and valuable, with a wide variety of interests, all of them of some service to the community.

He was born at Perth in 1881, the son of the late Sir Henry Bruce Lefroy, a former Premier of W.A., and spent his early life on the family property at Walebing. He was educated at High (now Hale) School and at Haileybury, England, and started on his pastoral career at Boolardy Station, Yalgoo. He became manager at the age of 22 and was responsible for the greater part of its development work. The station was then emerging from the "native" era, to the period with windmills and fences to take the place of water drawers and shepherds. He was also responsible for the control of Nookawarra—half a million acres and carrying a good herd of Shorthorn cattle. In 1913 he acquired on his own account Coodardy, another large cattle run in the Murchison district, and converted it into a well appointed sheep station.

In 1915 he relinquished the management of the Murchison stations and went to England to enlist in the British Army. He served in France as Captain and Adjutant of 31st Division Train A.S.C. and was awarded the Military Cross, as well as being mentioned in despatches. Whilst serving in France he became engaged to Madamoiselle Courouble, whom he married before returning to Australia. During World War II, he organised and commanded the 19th Garrison Battalion in Western Australia, with the rank of Lt.-Colonel.

After returning from World War I Sir Langlois resided in Perth and became managing director of a number of pastoral companies, including the Boolardy Pastoral Co., which controls the well known Cranmore Park Merino stud, and Badja Ltd. He gave many years of service to the Pastoralists' Association, and became president in 1936, a position he held until 1953. He was also chairman of directors of W.A. Newspapers Ltd., of the W.A. Trustee Executors and Agency Co. Ltd., and chairman of the board of advice of the Bank of N.S.W. For many years he was the Western Australian representative on the Australian Wool Board and chairman of the State Wool Committee during the war.

A lover of horses, Sir Langlois took a keen interest in horse breeding and racing and did much to further the best interests of the sport. In partnership with the late Frank Wittenoom he won the Perth Cup in 1930 with Coolbarra, and he raced the winner of the 1935 Derby, Yaringa, which also won the 1936 St. Leger. Joining the committee of the W.A.T.C, in 1940, he became chairman in 1949; he was made a life member last February and resigned the chairmanship in September.

Sir Langlois was very active in the work of the Red Cross, the State executive of which he joined in 1944, in which year he became chairman. Last year he was made an honorary life member of the society. He was created a Knight Bachelor in 1952 for his outstanding service to Western Australia.

Original publication

Citation details

'Lefroy, Sir Anthony Langlois (1881–1958)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/lefroy-sir-anthony-langlois-592/text593, accessed 5 December 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Sir Anthony Lefroy, n.d.

Sir Anthony Lefroy, n.d.

from Pastoral Review and Graziers' Record, 18 November 1958