GILVEAR Thomas (Jnr)

Thomas GILVEAR (junior) was second of the seven sons born to Thomas & Christina (Smith) Gilvear. He arrived in Australia with his family, from Scotland in August 1911. He was married on the 11th November 1916 to Kathleen Emily Thistlethwaite of Hamilton, Brisbane.

He enlisted at Brisbane on the 29 September 1916 giving his address as Sampson Creek, Strathpine, Qld. At this time he was age 23 years 6 months, single, and occupation: labourer. Initially he named his mother Mrs Christina Gilvear, of Glass House Mountains, as his next of kin, but altered it to that of his wife Mrs Kathleen Gilvear of Sampsonvale via Strathpine, Qld after his marriage. From 30 October to 20 November 1916 Thomas remained at the 11th Depot Battalion at Enoggera. With effect from 21 November 1916 he was appointed to 15th Battalion/23rd Reinforcements. The unit embarked from Sydney NSW, on board HMAT A72 "Beltana" on 25 November 1916 and disembarked Devonport, England on 20 January 1917. After a stay in the Military Hospital, at Devonport, Thomas Gilvear marched into the 4th Training Battalion, at Codford, Wiltshire. He remained in England until 22 May 1917 when he proceeded overseas to France, via Southampton. he was taken on strength of the 15th Battalion (from 23rd Reinforcements) on 12 June 1917. On 15 August 1917 he was WOUNDED IN ACTION - remained on duty. Rejoined Battalion 16 August. 19 Sept 1917 promoted to Lance Corporal. 7 March 1918 promoted to Corporal. From 11th to 20th March 1918 he was admitted to hospital sick (Scabies) - after which he returned to unit. 15 July 1918 further promoted - to Sergeant. On leave to UK from 20 July to 10 August 1918. Detached to Corps Physical & Bayonet Training School 28 December 1918 to 18 January 1919. On leave to UK again from 17 March to 31st March 1919 & returned to unit in France. 9 May 1919 departed France for UK, Hurdcott Camp, Wiltshire and medical board prior to return to Australia. On 2 August 1919 proceeded to Liverpool to board S.S. "Argyleshire". Disembarked Brisbane 22 September 1919. Discharged from A.I.F. 8th November 1919.

CENSUS RECORDS show that Pte Thomas Gilvear returned home to his wife at Samsonvale, Brisbane and over the following years had two daughters: 1917 - Muriel Hope Gilvear & 1920 - Leila Marion Gilvear

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
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

Samford RSL Club, Main Street, Samford, Brisbane

AIF Project

Ancestry.com.au

National Archives of Australia - record search