Robert Sproule, Born Gillygooley, Omagh, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Distinguished Tyrone Man: Australian Lawyer Visits His Birthplace

Extracted from the Belfast News Letter Aug 19 1935

Transcribed, Compiled and Submitted by
Len Swindley, Melbourne, Australia
len_swindley[at]hotmail.com

DISTINGUISHED TYRONE MAN

The Hon. Robert Sproule, LL.B., B.A., former Solicitor-General of New South Wales, is at present on a visit to Omagh. Mr. Sproule was born at Gillygooley, Omagh, and is a son of the late Mr. Wm. Sproule. He left Omagh with his parents when one year old, and returned three years later and resided at Killybrack, near Omagh. After a stay of one year they returned to Australia and took up residence in Sydney.

Mr. Sproule entered the Justice Department, New South Wales, as a junior clerk, at the age of 15, and subsequently became the first head of the Department of Legal Aid. He was afterwards a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales, and was Solicitor-General and Minister of the Crown in two Governments. For several years past he has practised as a barrister, mostly in criminal law, and is now the principal of the firm of R. D. Meagher, Sproule and Co., Sydney, one of the best known legal firms in Australia. He has figured in most of the big murder trials in recent years.

Mr. Sproule, who is on a world tour, has inspected the house in which he was born. He also visited Killybrack, and he has had interesting talks with old residents who remembered his people. His nearest relatives in Ireland are the Rev. Bradley Sproule, Lurgan and Mr. Geo. Brisdell [Clisdell], Mullagharn, Omagh……..

Robert Sproule LLB., B.A., born Mullaghmore, Omagh, Co. Tyrone 1881, died Parramatta, Sydney 1948. Parents: William Sproule & Mary Anne Clisdell. Married Effie Stevenson in Goulburn, N.S.W., on 15 March 1911. Funeral at Rookwood crematorium with Presbyterian rites.