Port Melbourne Historical & Preservation Society
Photograph - Group of people outside London Hotel, Port Melbourne, c 1941
... ...Jim MALONY..., Jack CALDWELL, ?, Jim MALONY, ?, Ernie STAFFORD, Jack IRVING, ?, Nat TYRELL, ?..., Jack CALDWELL, ?, Jim MALONY, ?, Ernie STAFFORD, Jack IRVING, ?, Nat TYRELL, ? ...
A Show and Tell panel with space for names is headed "London Hotel Gay Boys" but does not explain or give the origins of this name however an IN MEMORIAM notice in The Age, 5 Apr 1926 reading, in part, "NEVIN - In sad and loving memory of our club mate, Jimmie, who departed this life on 5th April, 1924" was inserted by the Gay Boys Club, Port Melbourne.
The "White Hand", "Glee" and "Gay Boys" clubs were expected to take part in a carnival parade in Port Melbourne, Saturday 7 February 1925 for State War Council's appeal as previewed in The Record, 31 January 1925. A report on the carnival, The Record, 14 February 1925, mentions the "'White Hand' Club, a musical society, gathered themselves on a waggon and played popular orchestral numbers as they moved along. The 'Glee Boys' provided similar entertainment." But does not mention the 'Gay Boys'.
Also, at Port Melbourne court on Monday, 13 June 1927, As reported in The Age the following day, George Alexander AMY, David Henry REID, Percy JENNINGS, John William DAVIS, and George William WALTON were proceeded against on complaints that on Sunday, 10th April, they were officers of an unregistered club, the 'Gay Boys', wherein liquor was kept for supply. Evidence given in court revealed that "each member paid 4/6 a week towards the cost of the liquor, which was consumed at the weekend. ... Amy, who arrived while police were there, said that he was the secretary. One of the functions of the club was to help people in distress."
Given the connection to the Amy Family we can assume this is the same group still going strong in the early 1940s or perhaps it is the Glee Club that was also associated with the Amy Family.Photo taken outside London Hotel c 1941 of large group of people, including some women, and children from the McClusky family, owners. All present are wearing the same badge, which says 'No to Prohibition'. This group is ready to go off on a picnic. In shirtsleeves on the left is the publican, Bill GREGSON, who has married Eileen McCLUSKY and become publican after her husband died.
Back row L-R: ?, ?, ?, Jack CALDWELL, ?, Jim MALONY, ?, Ernie STAFFORD, Jack IRVING, ?, Nat TYRELL, ?, ?
Third row L-R: Bill GREGSON, Moss McCALL, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Watty POWER, ?, ?, ?, ?
Second row L-R: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Andy POWER, ?, ?, (girl) ?, ?, ?
Front row L-R: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, (boy) ?, ?, ?, ?, (boy) ?, ?, ?, George AMY Jr, (boy) ?societies clubs unions and other organisations, jack caldwell, jim moloney, ernie stafford, jack irving, nat tyrell, bill gregson, moss mccall, walter 'watty' power, andy power snr, george amy jnr, business and traders - hotels, jim malony, gay boys club, london hotel, glee club