GILVEAR James Smith

James Smith GILVEAR was the youngest of the seven sons born to Thomas and Christina (Smith) Gilvear. He arrived in Australia with his family, from Scotland, in August 1911. His occupation was farm labour on the family farm at Glass House Mountains

James enlisted at Brisbane 29th November 1916 at age 18 years 9 months. He was 5 foot 6 1/2" hazel eyes, light brown hair. He gave his occupation as a fruit farmer and named his mother Mrs Christina Gilvear of Glass House Mountains, North Coast Line, as his next of kin. Initially James was posted to the 11th Depot Battalion at Enoggera Barracks, but made an Application for Leave from the 16th to 26th January 1917 - to assist his mother to plant one acre of bananas, as she could not get any help and her other 2 sons and her husband (Pte Thomas Gilvear Snr) were serving overseas. Granted 10 days leave, and 6-days pay. On the 1st February 1917 he was appointed to the 25th Battalion/19th Reinforcements.

His Unit embarked from Sydney, NSW on board HMAT Wiltshire 7 Feb 1917. Disembarked at Devonport, England 11 April 1917 and marched into 7th Training Btn. Rollestone, Wiltshire. 15/5/17 Offence: AWL Fortiture 3 days pay 15/-; 2/11/19 proceeded to France via Southampton; 9/11/17 taken on strength, field. 20/3/18 WOUNDED IN ACTION - shrapnel wounds, neck, hand & thigh - Bullecourt. 20/3/18 transferred by Ambulance train to Calais. 3/4/18 No.7 C/Depot - Boulogne. 5/4/18 No.10 C/Depot - Ecault. 17/4/18 AIB Depot - Havre. 15/5/18 rejoined Battalion. At the instigation of his father (Pte Thomas Gilvear snr) who was also serving on the Western Front - James was permanently transferred, on 25 May 1918, to the 4th Motor Transport Coy - Supply Section from the 25th Battalion, France. At this point in time the Gilvear Family had lost three son's in battle and it was felt that a safer position "behind the lines",for James, was well deserved. 24/1/1919 appointed 'driver' 4th MTC. 30/5/19 marched out of unit (France); 6/6/19 proceeded to UK for demob.(Southampton). Returned to Australia per S.S.Persic. Disembarked Sydney 2/9/19. Discharged from A.I.F. 11 November 1919

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. The 391st. list, published on the 22nd, mentioned Pte. Jas. Smith Gilvear, of Glasshouse Mountains, as wounded.

1923 - James Gilvear married Ruby Ethel May King
1927/28? - Birth of son - William Ernest Gilvear 1953 - Death of son William Ernest Gilvear - age 25 (Meningitis) buried Caboolture Cemetery (King St)

1934 CENSUS living at Glasshouse - timber getter / 1949 CENSUS living at Elimbah - truck driver / 1958 CENSUS 27 Buddina St, Stafford - taxi driver/ 1980 CENSUS at 8, Mayes Ave, Caloundra,

It would appear that James may have married twice, although no death record has come to light for Ruby Ethel May. However the 1958 CENSUS also records a female - Evelyn Esther Gilvear residing at 27 Buddina St, Stafford - but no Ruby Ethel May?

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

• Bullecourt
• Western Front

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

AIF Project
Ancestry.com.au
National Archives of Australia - record search
Date of death record at - "Find My Past.com.au" (record source "Qld Metropolitan Funeral Director's Index" Sunshine Coast 1981-2001)
Note: Details of "date & place of death" later than 1985 are not available from Qld Govt Archives - to date (Feb'15).
Margery Edmonds