Photographs, medals and badges belonging to Sir Leslie Herron, 1919-1973

PXD 1254
R 2022
Status: On display. Objects Gallery. Case 3, Shelf 60. Applies to R 2022/Item 11 ; R 2022/Item 12

fonds

1919-1973

Graphic Materials, Photographs, Medals, Badges

909550

26 photographic prints - 30.5 x 25.5 cm. or smaller
7 medals - metal, plastic, ribbon - 8 x 6 cm. (plus ribbon) or smaller
5 badges - metal, ribbon - 8 x 8 cm. or smaller

Sir Leslie James Herron (1902-1973), chief justice, was born on 22 May 1902 at Mosman, Sydney, second of six children of native-born parents Henry Herron, insurance clerk, and his wife Emily Ethel, née Downie. Leslie was educated at the Church of England Preparatory School, Mosman, Sydney Grammar School and the University of Sydney (LL.B., 1924). He obtained second-class honours, despite being an enthusiastic athlete, oarsman and footballer who played (1922-25) first-grade Rugby Union as breakaway for Western Suburbs Football Club

Herron was an acting District Court judge in February 1939 and took silk on 20 December. Elevated to the Supreme Court bench on 10 February 1941, he sat mainly in criminal and civil causes, attempting 'to keep the balance between wartime needs of the Executive and the rights of the individual'. Devoting time to the administration of sport, Herron was chairman (1933-39) and president (1943-56) of the New South Wales Rugby Union, foundation chairman (1948) of the Australian Rugby Football Union and chaired the International Rugby Football Board in London in 1957. He was also president of Sydney Grammar School Old Boys' Union (1948-50) and of the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association (1949-64), and a member of the New South Wales Olympic Council and the Sydney Cricket Ground Trust (chairman 1970-72)

In administering the business of a rapidly expanding judicature, Herron sought to prevent delays and was grieved that 'litigation resulting from death or bodily injury by motor vehicles has tended to overwhelm the Court'. He was an energetic chairman (from November 1961) of the Law Reform Committee; many of its recommendations were adopted by the Law Reform Commission and embodied in the far-reaching Supreme Court Act of 1970 which 'directed the fusion of law and equity' in an attempt to make litigation 'just, quick and cheap'. He was made NSW Lieutenant Governor in 1973

Reference:
Australian Dictionary of Biography. http://adb.anu.edu.au/ (accessed 13 December, 2012)

PXD 1254
26 photographic prints, ca.1930-1973, including portraits of Sir Leslie Herron, family portraits, international rugby players, the pope, photograph including Sir Leslie Herron on being made Father of the Year in 1963 and a group portrait featuring Sir Leslie Herron on being sworn in as New South Wales Lieutenant Governor in 1973

R 2022
Item 1
Medal awarded to Sir Leslie Herron for winning the Open Mile at Sydney Grammar School, 1919

Item 2
Medal commemorating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, 2 June 1953

Items 3-4
Order of St Michael and St George (C.M.G.) medals awarded to Sir Leslie Herron, 1964, including chest badge holding 4 medals and 1 medal designed to be worn around the neck

Item 5
Medal presented to Sir Leslie Herron on becoming NSW Amateur Swimming Association Life Member, 1965

Items 6-7
Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) medal and badge awarded to Sir Leslie Herron, 1966

Item 8
Medal presented to Sir Leslie Herron on the occasion of the Centenary of the Rockdale Municipal Council, 1971

Item 9
Medal presented to Sir Leslie Herron by Queanbeyan Rugby Union Club, 1971

Item 10
'Honor Badge' presented to Sir Leslie Herron by Bjelke Petersen Bros School of Physical Culture, undated

Items 11-12
Venerable Order of Saint John badge and miniature (badge) awarded to Sir Leslie Herron, undated

Forms part of MLMSS 2605 ADD-ON 1668

Access via appointment - Applies to R 2022

All medals and badges were presented with boxes except Open Mile at Sydney Grammar School medal and Bjelke Petersen Bros School of Physical Culture 'Honor Badge'

Pic.Acc. Upgrade Project - Information transferred from Pic.Acc.5617 as part of the eRecords Project 2012-13