Bayly Farm, Ballinaclogh

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Going through the Irish Military Archives you sometimes happen upon some interesting snippets. 

I recently happened on this gem. In this file we have a Lancelot Bayly of Bayly Farm, Ballynaclogh, Nenagh putting in a claim for damages to two watercolours by “the King’s enemies” in 1916. The damage was done at the Royal Hibernian Academy. The original purpose built Academy was situated in Lower Abbey St, Dublin. On the 27th of April 1916, Academy House, its’ contents and the entire Summer Exhibition was destroyed by fire, resulting from the shelling of Dublin by the HMY Helga during the Easter Rising. 

Over 500 pieces of art, including works from artists Jack Butler Yeats, Madeline Green and Sir John Lavery, were lost. Two watercolours by Lancelot Bayly were destroyed. The supplied invoice for loss is for £10 and 10 shillings. Other artists claimed for lost works also. 

The Property Losses (Ireland) Committee was a committee established by the Dublin Castle Administration in Ireland in 1916 to assess claims for damages to buildings and property as a result of destruction and looting caused by the Rising. About 80% of claims were honoured. Whereas the likes of Clery’s were allowed compensation from this fund, other government buildings such as the G.P.O. came under completely different criteria and were not included. 

Now which Lancelot Bayly is it you may ask? One only has to look at the Bayly headstones in Ballynaclogh to see you’re spoiled for choice. There’s Lancelot Myles Bayly, Lancelot Francis Sanderson Bayly, Lancelot Peter Bayly…..etc

The one we’re interested in is Lancelot Francis Sanderson Bayly born 15/10/1869 at Bayly Farm, Ballynaclogh, Nenagh son of Lancelot Gilbert Bayly and Frances Luby.

Belfast Newsletter - 20/10/1869 - Lancelot F.S. Bayly birth

Lancelot spent much of his early years on the Continent being educated firstly at Rugby and later in Dresden. He was a fluent German and French speaker. Lancelot was also a prolific artist in Watercolours and commenced exhibiting with the WCSI (Watercolour Society of Ireland) in 1910. Not only that, Lancelot was also an accomplished Flautist and Pianist. He was equally adept in Biology, Science and Photography. A true polymath one must assume.

Under the pseudonym Edwin Pallender, Lancelot turned his hand to writing Science Fiction. In 1896 he wrote Across the Zodiac, basically Captain Nemo in Space on board spaceship Astrolabe. He had a letter from no less than Jules Verne congratulating him on his novel and offering his welcome to the genre. In May 1900, Queen Victoria commanded a copy of the book be fetched to her. With this type of Royal patronage and endorsement it's a wonder that more people are not aware of him.

Horfield Record - 04/05/1900

Whilst on a three year world tour, during his stay in Tahiti,  he compiled and photographed a travel book Notes of an Island Wanderer (1901) based on his travels in the Eastern Pacific.

In 1902 with The Adventures of a Micro-man, Lancelot predates Space Family Robinson or the Borrowers as he follows the adventures of a group of unintentional explorers shrunk accidently who have to survive in a world where they are the prey to everything from Beetles to Spiders. 

Marriage of Lancelot F.S. Bayly & Kathleen Drake

Death of Kathleen Drake in Dresden

On 07/03/1907, the well travelled Lancelot now 37, married the 26 year old Kathleen Josephine Drake at Woolcot Park in Bristol. She was the daughter of a British Army Major.  Sadly Kathleen died 02/04/1911 in Dresden. Her body was repatriated to Ireland and buried in Ballinaclogh.

On 29/04/1912, Lancelot married his cousin Eileen Maud Bayly. There were three children from this union. One of the children, Patrick Uniacke Bayly is dealt with on another page on this site.

Marriage of Lancelot F.S. Bayly & Eileen Maud Bayly

On 10/06/1918, Lancelot registers with the Local Authority in Erith, in Kent. Perhaps after the 1916 Rebellion he could see which way the climate was turning and probably thought it  safer to remove the young family to England.

Passenger List of Fellerin de La Touche 1929

On 28/01/1929 we find Lancelot on board the ship “Fellerin de Latouche”, enroute to Martinique. Under occupation, he declares himself to be an artist. Other travels find him in Panama, Tahiti, Sydney, Wellington and San Francisco. A truly well travelled man.

In 1935 and 1936 Lancelot is exhibiting well regarded watercolours at Swindon Art Club. By 1939, LFS is living in Padworth outside Reading in Berkshire. On the 1939 live register both Lancelot and his wife Eileen are ARP Wardens.

We finally find Lancelot dying 04/12/1952 in Malt House Flats in Padworth.  Lancelot left an estate of just over £14,286 - quite a significant sum for 1952. To sum him up.... one can only marvel at this latter day Renaissance man. Yes it helped to be a man of independent means but he seems to have made a success at whatever discipline he applied himself to. He didn't squander his talents, he pushed them and left behind a large output of work. I'm sure he would have entertained many a dinner party with his yarns and knowledge. I think I would have liked to have met him. Here are a sample of that volume of work.....enjoy!

Farm scene with Goats (1920's)

Down on the Farm (1935)