De Groot family papers and photographs, ca. 1915-ca. 1981

MLMSS 5665

fonds

ca. 1915-ca. 1981

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Clippings, Photographs

1087244

0.01 metres of textual material and 2 photographs (1 folder)
1 silver gelatin photoprint

Irish-born Francis Edward De Groot (1888-1969), antique dealer, army officer and notorious provocateur of the official opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, married Mary Elizabeth Byrne in Dublin in 1889. He served in the 15th King's Royal Hussars in the British Army during the First World War and attained the rank of captain. The couple arrived in Sydney in 1920. He commenced building his residence, Dunrath, at Castle Hill in 1938, drawing the stone and other materials from a demolished historic house in Waverley. Dunrath was partly decorated with quality reproduction furniture from his factory at Rushcutters Bay. In 1950 De Groot and his wife returned to Dublin where he lived the rest of his life.

References:
Copied from the collection
Library correspondence file

Mr J. C. Millard, who died on 23 January 1982, was the executor of the will of Mrs M. E. De Groot, his wife Avril's aunt.

Letter from Major J. R. Laing MBE, DCM to Mrs M. E. De Groot, Dublin, 27 June 1969, acknowledging her gifts of military badges and a print to the XVth/XIXth The King's Royal Hussars Regimental Association, Heaton, Newcastle Upon Tyne for its museum

Copy of birth certificate of Mary Elizabeth Byrne, born in Portland, Tipperary, 20 Feb. 1889 (copy, 7 June 1949)

Copy of marriage certificate of Francis Edward De Groot and Mary Elizabeth Byrne at Church of St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Sandymount, Dublin, 25 Oct. 1919

'The History of Dunrath, Castle Hill', ca. 1981, being two-pages of manuscript notes by Avril Millard

Two photographs of Dunrath, Castle Hill, N.S.W., 1952, 197-

Newscuttings, 1932, 1969-1977, relating to Captain Francis De Groot and his residence, Dunrath, including one from the Irish Independent, 21 Mar. 1932, reporting De Groot's unofficial slashing of the ribbon at the opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Photographic print:
[Studio portrait of Francis Edward de Groot, ca. 1915 / photographed by Lafayette, London]

Copyright status:: In copyright - This collection has multiple rights owners
Approval for reproduction required: From the copyright owner
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holders