GILVEAR Thomas (Snr)

Thomas GILVEAR was born on 27th December 1870, In Stirling, Stirlingshire, Scotland. His parents were Kenneth Gilvear & Marion (Hamilton) Gilvear. He married Christina Smith, at, Cambusdrennie, near Dunblane, near Perth, Scotland, on 28th November 1890. The name of Thomas Gilvear appears in the Valuation Rolls of Kincardine between the years 1891 & 1897 recording him as a tenant farmer. By the time of the 1901 Census however the family have moved, and are recorded at, Burnbank Cottage, Kilmadock, near Perth, and Thomas's occupation is that of a ploughman.

Thomas and his wife Christina and their nine children arrived in Brisbane, from Scotland on the "Suffolk" on 11 August, 1911. Initially they settled in Fairymead, near Bundaberg, where Thomas was employed as a ploughman, and his eldest son, Kenneth as a labourer. The other children possibly attended school here. Eventually the family relocated and settled in Glass House Mountains, near Beerwah, where Thomas became a banana grower.

Thomas Gilvear enlisted in the A.I.F. in Brisbane on 13 May 1916 at the age of 43. He gave his occupation as that of a farmer, his religion as Presbyterian and named his wife, Mrs Christina Gilvear, of Glass House Mountains, North Coast Line, Qld as his next of kin. Initially he was posted to the 11th Depot Battalion at Enoggera, Brisbane before being appointed to the 4th Pioneer Battalion/6th Reinforcements also at Enoggera Barracks.

His Unit embarked from Brisbane, on board HMAT A36, "BOONAH" on 21 October 1916 disembarking at Plymouth on 10 January 1917.
11 January 17 Marched into Pioneer Training Battalion - Fovant.
14 July 17 Transferred from 4th Pioneers to 47th Battalion (12th Training Battalion) Codford, Wiltshire.
15 July 17 Taken on strength - 12th Training Battalion.
25 August 17 Taken on strength of AASC Training Depot Parkhouse.
26 August 17 Transferred from 47th Btn (12th Trg Btn) to AASC Detail - Parkhouse (AASC=Australian Army Service Corps)
10 October 17 Proceeded o/seas to France ex AASC Trg Depot from Parkhouse -for formation of 4th Division Supply Company - via Southampton.
14 October 17 Marched in ex England to HT&S Depot - Havre, France
18 October 17 Marched out to 1st B.M.T.D. - Havre.
19 October 17 Marched in 1st BMDT - Rouen, France.
23/1/18 Offence: Being in a cafe during prohibited hours - Forfeit 1 days pay;
20 October 17 Taken on strength 4th ADSC - Rouen.
16 March 18 Transferred from 4th ADSC and taken on strength of 4th ADMTC.
8 June 18 Detached to 4th Army Cookery School.
23 June 18 Re-joined unit.
3 August 18 Disembarked at Folkestone on duty from France to report to Aust. H.Q. London. Sick Furlough until 19 August 18.
28 August 18 Marched out to No 2. Commonwealth Depot, Weymouth - for return to Australia.
15 September 18 Returned to Australia - arriving Brisbane 20 November.
4th December 1918 Discharged from AIF.

Pte Thomas Gilvear, at age 47, applied to be returned to Australia, letter written in dated 25th June 1918 stating besides himself six of his sons serving with the A.I.F in France, three of them have made the supreme sacrifice. One son is now in hospital in England, the other two have both been wounded but are back with their Units. Four more children at home, the eldest girl of 16 years. Thomas also made application to claim his youngest son, Pte James Smith Gilvear #6560 A/Coy 25th Btn. be transferred to a Supply Section. Both requests were granted.

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

OBITUARY - MR THOMAS GILVEAR - NAMBOUR CHRINICLE & NORTH COAST ADVERTISER - August 9TH 1946
"The death has occurred in Brisbane, after a short illness, of Mr Thomas Gilvear, of Glass House Mountains, A Native of Scotland, Mr Gilvear had resided in the district for over 30 years. He, together with six of his sons, served with the A.I.F. in World War 1. Three of his sons lost their lives in that war. His wife Mrs C. Gilvear predeceased him several years ago. Mr Gilvear has, during the last few years, carried out the duties of greenkeeper of the Glasshouse Bowling Club, and was also caretaker for the School of Arts. He is survived by four sons. Messrs Thomas (Cedar Creek), Jack (Landsborough), James (Elimbah), William (Glasshouse Mtns). Three daughters, Mesdames J. Barr (Glasshouse Mtns), A. Barr (Stanthorpe), and N. Wilson (Glasshouse Mtns).

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

Photos courtesy of Sunshine Coast Libraries.
AIF Project
Ancestry.com.au (1901 Scotland Census & Queensland, Australia Passenger Lists 1848-1912)
National Archives of Australia - record search

Note - Thomas Gilvear's son - Kenneth Gilvear gave as his address on his enlistment record as "Fairymead Sugar Co. Bundaberg, Queensland". This could also have been possibly Thomas (snr)'s employer - on arrival in Queensland in 1911? In the years following WW1 both Thomas senior and various of his sons could be found in the Bundaberg area from time to time in CENSUS RECORDS - probably engaged in seasonal farming work. (Margery Edmonds)