Stuart Lloyd

Author of The Lightning Ridge Book (1967), Stuart Lloyd was born in Coonamble on 5 July 1902, son of Charles Lloyd and Jane Ferguson, and was educated in Sydney.

He was a veteran of World War II, he served in the Army in the second Australian Imperial Force from 1939 to 1948.

Stuart Lloyd was married twice, first to Patricia Joseph Clancy and later to Joan Dowbiggin.

Lloyd lived and mined for opal in Lightning Ridge for a period, likely in the late 1950s to early 1960s, while he was working on The Lightning Ridge Book.

Lloyd’s book is a compilation of information gathered from local residents, especially old miners, who had stories to tell about the old days. Lloyd is quite clear in the introduction to his book that the information is presented as-is, ‘straight from the horse’s mouth’, with minimal editorialising, resulting in some inconsistencies between accounts.

The Lightning Ridge Book was published in 1967, with two further reprints. The first two print runs saw some 6,000 copies distributed. The final print run was in 1979. The Lightning Ridge Book covers and extensive range of Lighting Ridge-related subjects. The topics covered are listed here.

Stuart Lloyd passed away on 23 December 1967 at the age of 65 at Mumbil (near Dubbo), only four weeks after the initial print run of The Lightning Ridge Book. His widow, Joan, took care of the second and third reprints, ensuring Lloyd’s legacy would continue.

Joan remained in Lightning Ridge, later marrying Evan Fuller, another opal miner.

• Stuart Lloyd @ Find a Grave.

Article: Research by Leisa Carney, edited by Russell Gawthorpe. LRHS research compiled by Len Cram and Barbara Moritz. Sources: Lightning Flash Newspaper, 14 December 1978, 12 April 1979; The Lightning Ridge Book, Stuart Lloyd, 1967; LRHS collection items and oral history.