GILVEAR Robert

Robert GILVEAR was the fifth of seven sons born to Thomas & Christina (Smith) Gilvear. He arrived in Australia, from Scotland, with his family in August 1911.

Robert Gilvear enlisted in the A.I.F in Brisbane on 7 April 1916. At that time he was 18 years of age and working as a 'labourer'. He named his mother, Mrs Christina Gilvear, of Glass House Mountains, North Coast Line, Qld. as his next of kin and his religion was recorded as "Presbyterian". From 24 April 1916 to 30th May 1916 he was posted to the 11th Depot Battalion at Enoggera Barracks, Brisbane. On 26 August 1916 he was posted to his unit - 49th Battalion/5th Reinforcements - at Bell's Paddock, Brisbane. This unit embarked from Brisbane, on board HMAT A49 "Seang Choon" on 19 September 1916. On 9 October 1916 he disembarked at Plymouth, England and proceeded to the 13th Training Battalion, at Codford, Wiltshire. He remained in England until 13 March 1917 when he proceeded overseas to France via Folkestone. He was taken on strength of the 47th Battalion (from the 49th Btn) at Etaples on 23 March 1917. On 7 June 1917, in Belgium, he was WOUNDED in ACTION - receiving a 'gun shot wound' to the chest. He was treated in the 47th General Hospital at Le Treport and returned to his unit on the 26 June 1917. From 22 September 1917 to 20 October 1917 he was detached (from 49th Btn) to 12th Machine Gun Company as part of a 'carrying party', he re-joined his unit on 21st October 1917. Private Robert Gilvear was KILLED IN ACTION near the town of Dernancourt, France.

Although official records state "no known grave" for Pte Robert Gilvear - a note in his Sevice Records shows that he was killed during the Battle of Dernancourt and buried at the Communal Cemetery 500 metres NW of the town of Dernancourt. The Military section faces east towards the railway embankment which was the site for the Battle. In a letter to Robert's parents, dated 12 May 1922, from the Official Secretary, Australia House, London, advised that although their son was recorded as having been buried in this cemetery, "his grave cannot now be found". Further research shows that there is a Military Cemetery - along the railway line - at Dernancourt today - but of the 2162 burials 177 are unknown.

THE CHRONICLE - 19 April 1918 reports that Pte Robt Gilvear of Glasshouse Mtns was killed in action, the 2nd of the family of father and 6 sons who went to the Front.

THE CHRONICLE - 3 May 1918 p5, OUR HONOUR LIST. APRIL'S ADDITIONS. April unfortunately made up for the welcome deficiencies of March in the supply of casualties amongst the lads from our district. List No. 393, on the 26th, was one of the cruellest yet. As killed in action, it included Pte Robt. Gilvear, of Glasshouse Mtns., March 28 (previously reported wounded).

GILVEAR FAMILY - RECORD of SERVICE

6976 - Private Thomas Gilvear (Senior) returned to Australia 1st August 1919

4496 - Lance Corporal Alexander Smith Gilvear - was Killed in Action 7th May 1917 - Bullecourt, France

2428 - Private Robert Gilvear - was Killed in Action 28th March 1918 - Dernancourt - France

65 - Corporal Kenneth Gilvear - was Killed in Action 15th April 1918 - Somme, France

6560 - Private James Smith Gilvear - Returned to Australia 13th July 1919

66 - Private John Gilvear - Returned to Australia 30 June 1918

6976 - Private Thomas Gilvear (Junior) returned to Australia 1st August 1919

Glass House Mountains Honor Roll, Glass House Mountains RSL, Cnr Steve Irwin Way & Reed Street, Glass House Mountains

Glass House Mountains Honor Roll, Glass House Mountains Hall, Coonowrin Road, Glass House Mountains

Shire of Landsborough Roll of Honour, Caloundra RSL, West Terrace, Caloundra

Nambour (Maroochy Shire) Roll of Honor Scroll, Private Collection, Nambour (this scroll was available for sale to the public after the war)

Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France AWM Roll of Honour, Panel No 143

Villers-Bretonneaux, France - memorial photo - CWGC.

AIF Project

Ancestry.com.au

National Archives of Australia - record search

Booklet - The Battle of Dernancourt - Author Matt Walsh, JP, MLO, ALGA (MCAE)