LUCEY, James and Mary Christena (née Hanran)

Arriving in Brisbane, he worked for a short time in the brewery before applying on 9 August 1921 for a position as constable with the Queensland Police Force. After a brief period at the former Petrie Terrace Police Training Depot, Jim was sworn in on 16 November 1921 and served initially at the former Roma Street Police Station before transferring to Townsville, north Queensland. It was while in Townsville that he met his future bride, Mary Christina Hanran, always known as "Mollie". Later postings were at Dunwich for six months from 28 May 1931, followed by terms at Brisbane, Ipswich, Somerset Dam and finally Brisbane again from 21 April 1942. Jim retired with the rank of Sergeant, 2/c on his 60th birthday on 18 March 1952 while attached to the Roma Street Police Station. Since four of his five children were still at school at this point, Jim found employment as a nightwatchman at Her Majesty's Theatre in Queen Street (opposite the David Jones' store) now the site of the Wintergarden Complex. He retained this position until ill health overtook him after he sustained a serious fall off a ladder at the theatre. He was known to his friends as a gentleman and was a most even tempered man, only provoked into an "Irish" rage on rare occasions. This gentleman was an avid newspaper reader and insisted on absolute peace and quiet to listen to the "War" news (World War II). It was always the "War" news, even years after hostilities had ceased!

Story Telling by the resident seanachai (pronounced ‘shan-akee’ .. an Irish Tradition

Jim was very proficient at story-telling and kept his children entertained by his tales of life in the Emerald Isle, notably stories about ghosts and rattling dishes in darkened kitchens which resulted in many sleepless nights for those of his children susceptible to scary tales.

His constant wish was to return to his place of birth for a visit, and he was a faithful and regular correspondent with his brothers and sisters. However, his late marriage and large family, unfortunately, created a barrier to the fulfilment of his travel desires. His health deteriorated rapidly after a stroke in 1964 and he survived long enough to see his eldest son, Con, marry in June 1965. Jim died from cardiac failure and myocardiac ischaemia on 18 November 1965 and he was interred in Pinaroo Lawn cemetery at Aspley.

"Mollie", his Wife

Mary Christina (sometimes spelt Christena), always known as "Mollie", was born on 29 March 1908 in Townsville. She was the eldest of five children born to John and Isabella Hanran. Mollie was a very popular person, having been blessed with an outgoing personality. She left school at the age of 13 and gained employment as cashier/typist at the Townsville firm of Cummins and Campbell and this was where she met her future husband, James Lucey, a police constable of Irish nationality when he interviewed her as a witness to an accident.

They married in Townsville in 1931—James aged 39 and Mollie 23, but not without family opposition to the age difference of 16 years. In fact Mollie's father at first refused to attend the small ceremony held at 11 o'clock on the 11th day of the 11th month. However, the Hanran family's fears were groundless—the marriage was a happy one—Jim and Mollie raising a family of five: Con, Sheila, James, Mary (1943-1999) and Daniel who all reached the scholastic level of Junior certificate at least, with their sons all pursuing higher educational levels. Before the effort of raising their family overtook them, Jim and Mollie were fond of dancing and were keen on playing euchre with their friends.

Suburban Brisbane

The family home purchased in 1933 for the sum of £600 cash ($1200), was at Celia Street, Ashgrove. At this time the area was considered to be the outskirts of Brisbane and the house was a five to ten minute walk to the tram terminus at Stewart Road.

Schooling

The children were educated at St Finbarr's convent school—boys to year 3 and girls to year 5. The boys then went to the Marist Brothers college, Ashgrove and the girls to Mt St Michael's college for what was then known as sub-scholarship (year 6) and scholarship (year 7) which was an examination in English, Arithmetic, History and Geography (or Domestic Science if the school taught it), after which, if successful, the student's school was given funds towards studying for the Junior certificate.

Leisure Pursuits

Pleasures in the Lucey household were simple—highlights were tram rides to Bulimba Ferry or New Farm Park for a picnic (abandoned after Mary was approached by a vagrant), a walk down to the creek (pushing the junior members in a perambulator), visitors for afternoon tea, singalongs at the piano (when someone could be persuaded to play!). Mostly, the children had to be quietly well behaved, as police duties entailed shift work creating the requirement to sleep during the day—not easy during a Queensland summer.