"ROBRAE" AT 29 RYANS ROAD, ST. LUCIA, BRISBANE, QLD
COMMANDEERED BY THE MILITARY DURING WWII

Peter Brown of the St. Lucia History Group told me that General Thomas Blamey lived at 29 Ryans Road, St. Lucia during WW2. Blamey's "Batman" and personal staff lived in a house called "Jerdanefield" which was located directly across the road.

The house "Robrae" at 29 Ryans Road, St. Lucia was acquired by Australian Hirings Section from architect Mr. George Rae. (I had originally been incorrectly told it was owned by a Mr. Grimway or was it Grimshaw?).

Don Watson told me that he spoke to George Rae in about 1983 and George told him that "Robrae" had initially been offered to General Douglas MacArthur as his quarters, but was rejected in favour of apartments on the 4th floor of Lennons Hotel in George Street.

The June 1943 Telephone Directory for Allied Land Forces Advanced Headquarters (ALFAHQ) shows that Blamey's residence was at Ryan Road in St Lucia. This entry should have been Ryans Rd (with an "s").

There have also been some unconfirmed incorrect suggestions that Blamey may have later lived at "Moorlands" in the grounds of the Wesley Hospital.

29 Ryans Road, St Lucia, on the corner of Jerdanefield Road.

29 Ryans Road, St Lucia

REFERENCES

"Better Homes - An Architects Home at St. Lucia", Telegraph (Brisbane), Tuesday 9 May 1939 page 18

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I'd like to thank Don Watson and Ian Venables for their assistance with this web page.

I'd like to thank Peter Brown of the St. Lucia History Group for advising me that Blamey's main WWII residence was located at 29 Ryans Rd.

Can anyone help me with more information?

"Australia @ War" WWII Research Products

This page first produced 9 October 2005

This page last updated 24 January 2020