At this year鈥檚 ANZAC Assembly, marking the 110-year anniversary of the Battle of Gallipoli, Headmaster Mr Michael Blake shared the remarkable story of the first reported Old Boy to lose his life on that fateful day, 25 April 1915, in the area we now know as Anzac Cove, Gallipoli.
This is the story of Teddy Larkin 鈥� a remarkable character, whose life speaks clearly to the ideals of St Joseph鈥檚 College and the great spirit of the ANZAC. Teddy Larkin was born in Newcastle in 1880, the son of the coal miner and was raised with strong values of hard work, faith and loyalty. His family moved to Sydney, and he won a scholarship to come here to 国产探花 for his senior schooling. Here at the College, he distinguished himself as a student of strong intellect and of deep integrity, and he excelled not only in his studies, but on a sporting field with the First XV in 1896. In 1903, Larkin became the first 国产探花 Old Boy to make the Wallabies, taking to the field as a hooker in what was also the first rugby match played in Australia against New Zealand.
鈥淎t about 3pm I was with Ted in a hot corner, and as he was in charge, he gave the order to advance, which was done rapidly with bayonets fixed. We got amongst the enemy鈥檚 trenches 鈥� we stayed there until shelled out. Ted fell with his lads, right in front of the argument. His brother Martin and my brother Mervyn went at the same time, and had I not been a section commander there is very little doubt I should have gone, too鈥�
Extract from letter written by Sergeant Harry Sparkes, The Border Morning Mail and Riverina Times (Albury NSW), 鈥淪ergt. Larkin, MLA, died leading heroic charge鈥�, 25 September 1915, p. 5 (https://trove.nla.gov.au)
His life and career
Larkin was an outstanding athlete, swimmer, cyclist and cricketer, however his influence on sport extended far beyond his playing days. Disillusioned with the way rugby union was being run, and wanting a better way, as it was a system that left many working class unsupported, he turned his energy to help in the newly formed New South Wales rugby league, where he was appointed as secretary. Under his guidance, this fledging organisation quickly found its feet, and in less than a year, he helped organise one of the biggest sporting events of this time 鈥� the 1910 test match between Australia and Great Britain, which drew a crowd of 42,000, unheard of in that era. In 2015 at the Centenary event, the NRL lunch in his honour, Brother Anthony Boyd and Mr Miles Newman were invited as guests to attend the oratory 鈥� it was very unequivocally stated that Larkin helped save rugby league in New South Wales from bankruptcy.
Larkin was gifted with brilliant organisational, promotional and public speaking skills and possessed a strong sense of social justice. And so, in 1913, still a young man in his 30s, he won the election for the New South Wales Parliament as the Labor member for Willoughby. It was quite a stunning victory as it was the first time a Labor MP had ever won a seat on Sydney鈥檚 North Shore. He was a local supporter at that time of the proposal to build a bridge across Sydney, now known as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and he was a popular Member of Parliament. He was touted as a possible future leader as Premier of the State. But his political career would be cut short.
When war was declared in August 1914, Larkin didn鈥檛 hesitate, one of only two sitting Members of Parliament to enlist in the first Australian Imperial Force. In his final speech to Parliament, he said, 鈥淚 cannot engage in the work of recruiting and urging others to enlist unless I do so myself.鈥�
As a Member of Parliament, Larkin was offered a commission grant which would have seen him far from the action. However, Larkin did not seek rank or privilege. He chose to serve as a soldier, side by side with the other men of the first battalion landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. During the fierce battle at Pine Ridge, he was wounded 鈥� when a stretcher bearer came to his aid, he waved them off, insisting that others needed help more than he did. Sadly, he died shortly after, aged just 35. His brother Martin also fell that day. Neither man has a known grave and so their names are etched on the Lone Pine Memorial at Gallipoli alongside 4933 other Australian and New Zealand troops who have no resting place.
A story written into the hearts of this College
Larkin鈥檚 story is written in the fabric of this country and into the hearts of this College. His life reminds us that sacrifice is not a moment. It鈥檚 a way of being. Choosing to stand for what is right, to give when it is hard and to act with courage, even when the cost is great. Teddy Larkin gave everything, he left behind a wife, two young sons, and a future full of promise. As we remember Teddy Larkin and all those who served, we鈥檙e reminded that the freedoms we enjoy have been born at their great price. Their sacrifice calls us to live lives of meaning, to carry forward their legacy in the choices we make and in the way we care for others. Larkin was a man of principles and courage, who lived the very ideals that 国产探花 attempts to instil in every one of you, faith, wisdom, vision and the willingness to serve others before self is a quintessential 国产探花 graduate. Lest we forget.
鈥淎s we remember Teddy Larkin and all those who served, we鈥榬e reminded that the freedoms we enjoy have been born at their great price.鈥�
HEADMASTER MICHAEL BLAKE
ANZAC Assembly 鈥� 1 May 2025
