GARDNER, John Forrest
| Service Numbers: | Not yet discovered |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | Medical Officers |
| Born: | Adelaide, South Australia, 30 July 1890 |
| Home Town: | College Park, Norwood Payneham St Peters, South Australia |
| Schooling: | St Peter's College, Adelaide University |
| Occupation: | Medical Practioner |
| Died: | Tetanus, Richmond, Victoria, August 1929 |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Hackney St Peter's College Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 28 Jan 1916: | Involvement Captain, Medical Officers, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '23' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Jan 1916: | Embarked Captain, Medical Officers, HMAT Themistocles, Melbourne | |
| 8 Apr 1916: | Involvement Captain, Medical Officers, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '23' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Aeneas embarkation_ship_number: A60 public_note: '' | |
| 8 Apr 1916: | Embarked Captain, Medical Officers, HMAT Aeneas, Melbourne |
Biography
Published Biography
“Blood, Sweat and Fears” ISBN: 978-0-64692-750-3 Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia who served in WW1
Additional Biography
Early Life
John Forrest (Jack) Gardner was born on 30th July 1890, the son of Gavin Forrest Gardner and Mary Josephine Brown (Sa Birth Registration 463/283). His father, Gavin, was a well regarded member of the Stock Exchange and his grandfather, the Reverend John Gardner.
Schooling
Jack attended St Peter’s College from 1899-1908. While at St Peter’s he passed his primary Examinations in 1902, Senior Examinations (1906), Higher Public Examinations (1908) and Special Senior Examinations in March 1909. While at St Peter’s Jack passed Adelaide University Music and Music Theory Examinations (1903-6) including Pianoforte Examinations. He also spent 2½ years in the Cadets.
University
Jack commenced studying medicine at Adelaide University in 1910 and qualified MB BS in December 1914.
University Sport
Football
Jack played football for the University in College matches in 1910 and 1911. He played against his old college in 1910 and against PAC in 1911.
Tennis
Jack competed in the Inter-Varsity Tennis competition in 1912 & 1914. He played for the University in the South Australian Lawn Tennis Class II in the 1912/13 & 1913/14 seasons and in Class I in 1914/15. He also competed in the SA Lawn Tennis Association Tournaments in 1913 & 1914.
Early Career
In February 1915 Jack was appointed as a house surgeon in the Broken Hill Hospital and he took up his duties there on the 9th of February. He also became engaged to Hilda Josephine Florey, MB BS, the third daughter of Joseph Florey of Mitcham, SA and the sister of Howard Florey (who developed penicillin).
World War I
Jack’s WWI service was relatively brief. He received his first commission on 3rd January 1916 and was appointed to the AIF, Australian Army Medical Corps on 28thJanuary 1916. He completed two transport trips to the Suez and back as the medical officer on duty caring for the sick and wounded being repatriated home. His second 3 month commission was received on 6th April 1916, departing the following day for Egypt. His appointment was terminated on 23rd July 1916.
Career and Family Life
After his war service Jack commenced a practice in Richmond, Victoria. Jack married Hilda Florey on Saturday 17th February 1917 at St Michael’s Church Mitcham, SA. The couple was living at Church Street, Richmond when their daughter (Joan Forrest Gardner) who was born on 18th June 1918 at Mena House, East Melbourne.
In March 1919, Jack’s father passed away. In September 1919, Jack “gave away the bride” when his youngest sister, Ethel Forrest Gardner married Keith Rogers Scarfe at St Peter’s College Chapel.
On the 22nd of October 1924, Jack and Hilda’s son, David Gavin Gardner was born.
Death
Jack passed away on the 6th of August 1928, aged 38 years, leaving his wife to raise their two children. He left personal property valued at £2385 to his widow. Hilda, Joan and David moved to 132 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn. Tragically Jack and Hilda’s son David passed away on the 11th July 1932 (aged 7 years).
Family Legacy
Biographies for both Hilda and Joan are included (see document).
Author EE (Beth) Filmer
For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project please see the document attached.
Submitted 10 June 2025 by Eleanor Filmer
Biography
Excerpt from Blood Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australian who Served in World War 1. Courtesy of the Authors
John Forrest Gardener was born on the 30th July 1890 in Adelaide. He was the younger son of Gavin J and Mary Josephine Gardner. He was educated at St Peter’s College and studied medicine at the University of Adelaide graduating in December 1914. He lived with his parents at Trinity Street, College Park, South Australia.
Gardner enlisted in the AIF on 4th April 1916 at 25 years of age. His father, whose address was given as the Stock Exchange, Adelaide, was named as his next of kin. He had 2½ years experience in the Commonwealth Cadet Corp and 3 months in the AAMC. He was 5ft 11ins tall, weighed 142lbs, of fair complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. He was posted, as a captain, to the AAMC Transport Staff. Gardner undertook two Transport Trips from Melbourne to Suez and returning with invalided soldiers, between the 28th January 1916 and the 22nd July 1916. His appointment was terminated on the 23rd July 1916. He was issued with the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
Gardner moved to Richmond, Victoria after the war. He married Hilda Josephine Florey from Mitcham, SA on 17th February 1917. She was the older sister of Howard Florey, whom he had met at the Adelaide University. Hilda Josephine Florey was born in 1890 at Malvern, South Australia. After leaving Miss Thornber’s School for Girls, she entered the University of Adelaide in 1908, and graduated MB BS in 1912 and was an outstanding student. She held resident appointments at the Adelaide Hospital, the Adelaide Children’s Hospital, and the Women’s Hospital, Melbourne between 1913 and 1917. John Forrest Gardener died in Richmond Victoria at the beginning of August 1929 from tetanus. He was survived by his wife and his daughter, Joan, who became a distinguished microbiologist with a special interest in antibiotics, sterilisation and infection control. Gardner also had a son who died of septicaemia at the age of seven.
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