Gerald Francis DWYER

DWYER, Gerald Francis

Service Number: 4703
Enlisted: 1 April 1915, Swan Hill, Victoria
Last Rank: Driver
Last Unit: 3rd Field Artillery Brigade
Born: Winchelsea, Victoria, Australia, 8 March 1895
Home Town: South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Farmer
Died: Victoria, Australia, 14 December 1971, aged 76 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton
Plot MGC-RC-Comp-BB-No-712
Memorials: Winchelsea WWI Memorial
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World War 1 Service

1 Apr 1915: Enlisted AIF WW1, Swan Hill, Victoria
10 Aug 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Driver, 4703, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: RMS Persia embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: ''
10 Aug 1915: Embarked AIF WW1, Driver, 4703, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade , RMS Persia, Melbourne
6 Jul 1918: Discharged AIF WW1

Gerald Francis Dwyer

Driver Gerald Francis Dwyer [1895-1971], Regimental Number 4703, served with the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade [1915-1918]. Fourth son of Victoria Police Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer [1864-1910] and Catherine Winifred Stapleton [1859-1942], Gerald Francis Dwyer, upon completing his education became a farmer.
His parents, marrying in 1887, being, Maitland, New South Wales, born Catherine Winifred Stapleton and Michael John Dwyer celebrated the birth of first child, Alice Mary [1887-1917], in the same year, at Mitchelton, beside the Goulburn River, north-east Victoria. The year following, witnessed the Mounted Victoria Policeman residing at Tower Hill, on the south-west Victoria coast between Warrnambool and Port Fairy, together with the birth of their first son, John Eric Dwyer [1888-1958].
Transferring to officer in charge at Natimuk, in the Wimmera district, in 1889, Mounted Constable Michael Dwyer, sustained a concussion of the brain, upon being dislodged, whilst riding into Horsham. However, upon regaining his health, resumed his Natimuk duties, being in November 1890, elected foundation treasurer of Natimuk Volunteer Fire Brigade, whilst in the same year, second son, Ernest Stapleton Dwyer [1890-1955], increased the family to five.
Sustaining, in July 1891, serious injury, due to the horse upon which he was mounted stumbling before falling upon him, Michael Dwyer, following a period of unconsciousness, sustained paralysis of the bladder. A deservedly popular member of the force, and most efficient in the discharge of his duties, Michael Dwyer was compelled, in March 1892, to retire from the Victoria Police Force due to the accident.
Upon regaining his fitness, Michael Dwyer secured the position of Officer in Charge of Winchelsea, in the western district of Victoria, between Geelong and Colac.
In 1893, third son, Thomas Leo [1893-1917], arrived at Winchelsea, followed by Gerald Francis [1895-1971], Kathleen Margaret [1898-1983], with the final child, fifth son, Michael John [1901-1983].
Establishing ‘Vaughan Kennels’, Winchelsea, a greyhound breeding and racing entity. Successfully entering the sport of coursing – field hunting by sight, as well as scent by dogs, usually greyhounds – the forerunner to greyhound racing. A great enthusiast in the sport, he was known on nearly every coursing field in Victoria. As popular as he was genial, he encouraged his sons’ involvement in his chosen sporting interest. His first-born son, John Eric ‘Eric’ Dwyer, equalling his father’s interest and popularity in the sport.
Overnighting at Lorne, on 13 February 1910, Winchelsea Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer, accepted the invitation of two friends to enjoy a morning swim. Venturing beyond the breaking surf, the 46 years of age, Michael Dwyer, drowned, unable to escape the treacherous undertow.
Raising, by public subscription, £77/7/6 enabled the Winchelsea population to purchase, as well as erect a headstone in the local cemetery to commemorate the final resting place of their peacekeeper. The £26/10/- balance being handed to Mrs. Catherine Winifred Dwyer, a widow with seven children, aged from 23 to 9 years.
The large attendance at his funeral indicated both sympathy for the widow and family in their loss, as well as respect for an honourable officer and citizen. The funeral cortege was upwards of 60 vehicles, with the various organisations associated with the district represented at the obsequies, including the A.N.A., of which the mounted constable had been secretary since its inception: district coursing clubs, cricket club, shire council, etc.
Victoria Police Veteran, Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer 3877 rests in eternal peace in the Winchelsea Cemetery, Winchelsea, Victoria, plot WIN-SECT-001-807-17
On 13 September 1942, at the Mercy Hospital, Melbourne, 83 years-of-age, Catherine Winifred Dwyer, of Sunshine, widow of the late Victoria Police Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer, of Winchelsea, and loved mother of Tot [Mrs. Alice Mary Shelley, Ballarat, deceased], Eric, [Middle Park], Ern, [Glen Iris], Leo [K.I.A. First A.I.F., deceased], Gerald, [South Melbourne], Peg [Mrs. Howard, Sunshine] and Warrant-Officer Jack Dwyer [Second A.I.F.], passed into eternal peace.
Enlisting, on 1 April 1915, at Swan Hill, on the Murray River in north-west Victoria, 21 years-of-age, farmer, Gerald Francis Dwyer, was posted, with the designation of driver, to the 3rd Field Artillery Brigade, 7th reinforcement.
Following initial training, Driver Gerald Dwyer served in the defence of Egypt – his duties included being responsible for transporting the artillery and infantry ammunition of each division from the ammunition refilling point to the area of engagement, usually by horse drawn vehicle. It being a dangerous occupation as it was a prime enemy objective to interrupt the ammunition supply.
Whilst serving in Egypt, Driver Gerald Dwyer learnt of the death of his younger brother, Trooper Thomas Leo Dwyer [1893-1917] of the 8th Light Horse [1914-1917] Regimental Number 692, being killed in action at the Battle of Lone Pine, Dardenelles, Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey on 7 August 1917.
Three years' active service in France, being wounded at Passchendaele, on 5 April 1918, Gerald Dwyer was discharged due to the effects of his wounds.
Gerald Dwyer married, in 1923, a South Melbourne girl, Miss Agnes Farrelly [1896-1964], daughter of Annie Riley and John Farrelly, the couple residing at South Melbourne for 12 years prior to his election to Mayor.
On 5 August 1926, at 191 Montague Street, South Melbourne, Brian Alphonsus, loved son of Gerald and Agnes Dwyer, brother of Gerald junior, passed away aged three days. Other children of the marriage being, Nanette, Marie and Agnes Dwyer.
On 13 September 1942, at the Mercy Hospital, Melbourne, 83 years-of-age, Catherine Winifred Dwyer, of Sunshine, widow of the late Victoria Police Mounted Constable Michael John Dwyer, of Winchelsea, and loved mother of Tot [Mrs. Alice Mary Shelley, Ballarat, deceased], Eric, [Middle Park], Ern, [Glen Iris], Leo [K.I.A. First A.I.F., deceased], Gerald, [South Melbourne], Peg [Mrs. Howard, Sunshine] and Warrant-Officer Jack Dwyer [Second A.I.F.], passed into eternal peace.
Elected to the South Melbourne Council, representing the Beaconsfield Ward, unopposed, in 1948, apart from his business activities and Council work, Gerald Dwyer found much to occupy a busy life.
Membership of the South Melbourne Cricket Club, as well as the Montague Youth Centre Committee of Management; vice-president of the Montague branch of the A.L.P.; a past-president of the H.A.C.B.S.; Gerald Dwyer took a keen and active interest in church district activities.
Being a quiet but forceful character, Gerald Dwyer possessed a pleasant and likeable personality. By unanimous vote at the annual meeting of South Melbourne Council on Wednesday 29 August 1951, he was elected Mayor for the ensuing year.
Passing away, on 14 December 1971, 76 years-of-age, Gerald Francis Dwyer, loved husband of Agnes [dec], father of Bryan [dec], Gerald, Nanette, Marie and Agnes, rests in eternal peace in Melbourne General Cemetery, North Carlton, Victoria, plot MGC-RC-Comp-BB-No-712
Two brothers of Driver Gerald Francis Dwyer [1895-1971] 4703 served during World War I, Private John Eric Dwyer [1888-1958]; Trooper Thomas Leo Dwyer [1893-1917] 692 K.I.A. Gallipoli.
Third brother, Private Michael John Dwyer [1901-1983] VX84725, together with four of the children of Private John Eric Dwyer [1888-1958], Sergeant Eileen Alice Silvey née Dwyer [1915-1992] V397162; Major Michael John Dwyer [1919-1994] 309504 VX8786; Sergeant Eric Francis ‘Frank’ Dwyer [1920-1981] VX15917, as well as Signalman Gerald Patrick Dwyer [1923-2015] VX75829, served during World War 2

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