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Bert Leahy c. 1891 - 1962

Bert Leahy was born circa May 26, 1891 to Jean Max Ludolff and Alice Maria (Sullivan) Pearce, and had siblings Hugo Ludolff, Robert Frederick Ludolff, and Max Ludolff. He married Lena Penney. He was the parent of Jennifer Wilson. Bert Leahy died at age 71 years old in 1962 in Sydney Australia, and was buried in 1962 at Rookwood Cemetery Hawthorne Ave, in Rookwood, NSW.

Bert Leahy
Name
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Last residence
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circa May 26, 1891
Birth
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1962
Sydney , Australia
Death
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Male
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Updated: October 21, 2014
Biography ID: 192446227 What's this
Bert Leahy Bert Leahy (1891 - 1962)
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Bert Leahy's History: circa 1891 - circa 1962

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  • Introduction

    Bert Leahy also used the alias Albert Neil so he could enlist in the Australian Army for WW1.As the son of a German immigrant, he would have been watched carefully when WW1 started as Germans in Australia were seen as threats and thousands were sent to internment camps until the end of the war. His identity as Hugo Ludolff was discovered and he was discharged from the Army. He changed his name to Bert Leahy (possibly as his step mothers surname was Leahy and then re-enlisted at Adelaide, stating there was no next of kin, only a friend, Mrs Cook. This Mrs Cook was Frances Cooke who married one of the Ludolff family members , so she was actually a relative not a friend. Perhaps once again , it was felt that to protect his true identity he couldn't have any next of kin listed with the Ludolff surname. It is a shame that his life was full of secrets. He married Lena Penney and they did not have any children together, but he did have a daughter in 1955 who was also kept secret and was a forced adoption . Her birth name was Jennifer Wilson.Her name was changed to Susan File by her adoptive parents.
  • 05/26
    1891
    circa

    Birthday

    circa May 26, 1891
    Birthdate
    Unknown
    Birthplace
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  • Ethnicity & Family History

    German father, Irish grandmother

  • Nationality & Locations

    Australia

  • Early Life & Education

    unknown where he grew up as he moved between states in Australia.

  • Religious Beliefs

    Church of England

  • Military Service

    Fought in World War 1, AIF service number 111. Was a prisoner of war after being wounded in the arm at Bullecourt.

  • Professional Career

    labourer, farm hand, bricklaying, steeplejack
  • 1962

    Death

    1962
    Death date
    Unknown
    Cause of death
    Sydney Australia
    Death location
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  • 1962

    Gravesite & Burial

    1962
    Funeral date
    Rookwood Cemetery Hawthorne Ave, in Rookwood, NSW 1825, Australia
    Burial location

  • Obituary

    Died 25th August, 1962 at the Lady Davidson Hospital, Turramurra , Sydney. Cremated at Rookwood crematorium under the name Bert Leahy...Church of England.His father and mother were not listed on death certificate or WW1 records as he had hidden his true identity for most of his life.He was born as Hugo Ludolff 26th May, 1891, parents Max (Jean) Ludolff and Alice Pearce nee Sullivan..
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2 Memories, Stories & Photos about Bert

Photo of Susan Roberts Susan Roberts
58 favorites
05/01/2014
He moved around between states in Australia as a labourer but started as a steeplejack around 1912 , a few years before he enlisted in WWI in the AIF, service number 111. He was wounded in the arm and captured at Bullecourt . He was held by the Germans in the POW camps of Dulmen and Minden. When he returned to Australia he was repatriated in 1919. He returned to work as a steeplejack and also constructed and demolished large chimney stacks including the old Sydney Royal Mint chimney.It seems he travelled interstate before settling in Sydney in the inner city area of Petersham. Census records show him living with Eleanor Christina Leahy but I have been unable to locate marriage records or records of next of kin. He was living at 72 New Canterbury Rd, Petersham in the 1950s and 1960s..
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Bert Leahy article
Photo of Susan Roberts Susan Roberts
58 favorites
04/29/2014
Bert Leahy article
A photo of the Bert Leahy and an article on him.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
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Photo of Susan Roberts Susan Roberts
58 favorites
04/29/2014
This is a photo of Bert Leahy who was born around 1892 and fought in WW1. He was wounded and captured at Bullecourt and held as a POW. He returned to Australia and worked as a labourer and mostly a steeplejack. There are several articles on his work. He was in Census records as living with Eleanor Christina Leahy in Petersham, Sydney but I can't find marriage records or a birth record. It is possible he also used the name Albert Neil according to a newspaper report in 1934. I don't know of any other relatives but would like to contact them as I am directly related . He died in Sydney in 1962.
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Photo of Susan Roberts Susan Roberts
58 favorites
06/02/2014
I have found Trove newspaper announcements of the death and funeral of his wife who was listed as 'Lena Jane Leahy' who died at their home in 72 New Canterbury Rd, Petersham.Perhaps 'Lena' is a nickname for Eleanor? Bert referred to himself as 'Herbert (Bert) Leahy' which is the first reference I have that his name was Herbert , with his preferred name as Bert in all other records including WW1 records and Census. I'm hoping to be able to eventually track down a birth certificate. He has listed his birthday as 26th May 1891 or 1892 but he was raised by another family so perhaps this explains the uncertainty. I've just ordered the death Certificate for his wife "Lena Leahy" (died 1949) to see where & when they were married and if there were any children from this marriage or to a previous marriage . His wife died 6 years before I was born so I don't know any other family names. It was interesting that he always recorded himself as single when receiving a war pension , but his death certificate does also confirm he was a widower.
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Other Biographies

Other Bert Leahy Biographies

Leahy, Bert (Jun 15, 1910 - Oct 1981)

Other Leahy Family Biographies

Leahy, Anthony (May 7, 1904 - Feb 28, 1989) Leahy, Robert (Nov 20, 1911 - Nov 27, 1993) Leahy, James (Oct 24, 1902 - Nov 1980) Leahy, Marjorie (Apr 5, 1906 - Dec 1986) Leahy, Lucille (Jun 3, 1921 - Sep 23, 1990) Leahy, Helen (Apr 22, 1908 - Mar 12, 2001) Leahy, Elizabeth (Feb 24, 1884 - Dec 1971) Leahy, Eleanor (Dec 29, 1909 - Mar 1985) Leahy, Anthony (Oct 2, 1928 - Dec 7, 2002) Leahy, John (Jan 14, 1901 - Mar 1969)
Leahy, John (Nov 2, 1927 - Dec 24, 2010) Leahy, Emilie (May 21, 1900 - Nov 1991) Leahy, Helen (Oct 23, 1910 - Apr 1, 1998) Leahy, D Peter (Oct 19, 1937 - Jun 24, 2006) Leahy, Sarah (Aug 14, 1885 - Oct 1981) Leahy, John (Aug 28, 1900 - Oct 1975) Leahy, Ina (Jan 29, 1921 - May 8, 2001) Leahy, Albert (Mar 3, 1903 - Mar 1, 1994) Leahy, Roland (Jul 20, 1912 - Apr 17, 1997) Leahy, Kenneth (Jan 29, 1923 - Dec 1975)
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