Guide to the Papers of the Ley family

Biographical Note

Thomas John Ley:Born in Bath, England, in 1880, Thomas Ley came to Australia at the age of 8 with his mother, Elizabeth Ley, his grandmother, Elizabeth Bryant, his sister Minnie and two brothers (one of whom was named Wally). In 1894 he became a solicitor's clerk, and later, as a qualified solicitor, established the firm of Ley, Andrews & Co.

He became an alderman in Hurstville in 1908 and a State M.P. in 1917. In 1921 he was allotted two portfolios, Labour and Industry, and Public Instruction, in Premier James Dooley's ministry - a ministry which lasted a mere six hours. In 1922 he became the N.S.W. Justice Minister. In 1925 Thomas Ley contested and won the Federal seat of Barton. His election was overshadowed by scandal when his opponent, Frederick McDonald, accused him of bribery. McDonald later withdrew his allegations and disappeared. It was rumoured that McDonald had been murdered (his body was never found), and that Thomas Ley was involved. Two more of his opponents later died in suspicious circumstances.

Thomas Ley was defeated in the 1928 Federal elections. He had been involved in a number of ill-fated business dealings, including Prickly Pear Poisons Limited. He moved to England, and engaged in a number of activities, including many real estate dealings. He was a director of a number of property development companies. In 1946 Thomas Ley was implicated in the murder of a barman, John Mudie. He was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death. He was later transferred to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, where he died on 27 July 1946.

Thomas Ley's personal life was also controversial. He married in 1898 and had three sons, and while still married conducted an affair lasting about 25 years with a widow named Maggie Brook. It was apparently his jealousy of Mrs Brook which led to the murder of John Mudie.

A number of authors have written about John Ley, including Dan Morgan, who wrote The Minister for Murder (London : Hutchinson, 1979) and John Rowland, who wrote Unfit to Plead? (London : John Long, 1965).

Emily Lewise Stone Vernon Ley:Known as Lewie for most of her life (a certificate presented to her when she was nine years old is inscribed "Lewie E. Vernon"), Emily Lewise Vernon was born in England in 1874. She migrated to Sydney with her mother, brother and sister, and married Thomas Ley in 1898. Lewie was interested in writing, and was involved in the international suffrage movement. She followed Thomas to England in 1942, returning to Australia after his death. She died in Bowral in 1956.

Russell John Vernon Ley:The eldest of Thomas and Lewie's three sons, born in 1889. Little is known about Russell's life other than that he was involved in a real estate business in Glen Innes. He married Janet, and had a son John, who in 1947 was Thomas Ley's only grandchild.

Clive Vernon Ley: Youngest son of Thomas and Lewie, born in 1903.

Keith Edward Vernon Ley:Second son of Thomas and Lewie, born in 1900. Keith was an accountant and was involved in a number of business dealing with his father. He was imprisoned in England for three years after being convicted of forgery. After his release Keith joined the Navy and later returned to Australia.

Edward Vernon:Lewie's father. His name may have been Alfred (his burial certificate refers to Alfred Vernon). He was born in England in 1831 and qualified as a surgeon in 1853. He married Emily Jane Stone and had three children, Ethel, Edward and Emily. He died in Bath in 1893.

Edward Vernon:Son of Edward and Emily, and brother of Ethel and Lewie. Born in 1866. Edward came to Sydney in 1895 with his mother and sisters. He became a dentist, and lived for many years in Goulburn.

Ethel Jacynthar Stone Vernon:Oldest of Edward and Emily's three children, born in 1864. Often referred to as Ettie. She worked for a Mr Butterworth in Sydney in 1907 and was living in Goulburn by 1915. Ethel died in 1953, aged 89.