Gurr and Thompson family papers

MLMSS 10484

fonds

approximately 1916-1989

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Photographs, Clippings, Ephemera

9649966

0.16 metres of textual material (1 box) includes photographs

Thomas Stuart Gurr (1877-1960) was born in India and migrated to Sydney in 1916. He wrote for stage and radio, worked as a journalist, and served as general manager of the Sydney Sunday Times. His most successful theatrical collaboration was with Varney Monk on the musical 'Collits Inn' (1932).

Albert Jackson Gurr (1889-1916) was the brother of Thomas Stuart Gurr. Born in India, the Gurr family moved to New Zealand in 1902 where Albert completed his education and apprenticed as a pharmacist. In 1912, he relocated to Sydney, New South Wales and joined Burroughs Wellcome & Co. as a research pharmacist. He enlisted in the Australian Army on 22 April 1915, serving in the Australian Imperial Force 19th Battalion. He fought at Gallipoli, where he was wounded. Returning to duty, he served in France at the Battle of the Somme and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in August 1916. He was killed in action on 14 November 1916.

Nancy Thompson (1905-1995) (née Gurr) was the daughter of Thomas Stuart Gurr. In 1937, she began work as a publicist for Cinesound, where she met and married Eric Thompson. Her first children’s book 'Animal Tales for Ann' was published in London in 1938. She continued to write children's stories and in 1940 was commissioned to write the story for a comic strip, 'Pip and Emma'.

Eric Thompson (1901-1978) worked as a newspaper cartoonist before studying as an architect. He moved to New York in 1927 and worked for MGM Studios as an art director for 10 years. He returned to Sydney in 1937 and joined Cinesound where he met and married Nancy Stuart Gurr. He continued to work extensively in film until his retirement, when he pursued his interest in drawing and heritage architecture.

References:
National Archives of Australia: First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, B2455, GURR A J
Wright, Andree. Brilliant Careers. Sydney: Pan, 1986.
Library Acquisition file

By descent to Erica Aronsten, the daughter of Nancy and Eric Thompson.

SERIES 1
Thomas Stuart Gurr papers, approximately 1932-1989
Includes: 'The Temple by the River' / by T. Stuart Gurr, being an unpublished manuscript; 'Collits' Inn' typescript with handwritten annotations. Cover has handwritten pencil note, 'This is the original script'. Bound with clippings, theatre programs and notes, including note by Nancy Thompson in 1987 regarding photographs removed; clippings of cartoons by Gurr, theatre programs, correspondence and photographs.

SERIES 2
Albert Jackson Gurr papers, 1916-2018
Includes World War 1 diary, 9 June-12 November 1916, being an account of conditions on the Western Front and his activities before and during the Battle of the Somme; photographs; photocopies and computer printouts of material relating to his Gurr's war service.

SERIES 3
Nancy Thompson papers, 1920-1988
Includes 'Dog Tales for Robin' / by Nancy Stuart Gurr, being typescript manuscript, 1940s; papers concerning her work at Cinesound; correspondence relating to the publication of her children's books 'A Dog for Robin', and 'Animal Tales for Ann', including a letter from Pixie O'Harris containing a small sketch of children; 'Souvenir of the Flight from England to Australia by Capt. Sir Ross Smith and Party', 19th February, 1920; correspondence concerning the 'Pip and Emma' comic strip, and 1940 news clipping of the first comic strip; photograph of Nancy Gurr.

SERIES 4
Eric Thompson papers, 1927-1966
Includes correspondence relating to his work in the film industry; black and white photograph of huts from film 'Lovers and Luggers'.

Copyright restrictions may apply:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy copyright holder