GILVEAR, Thomas
| Service Number: | 2867 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 13 May 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 4th Pioneer Battalion |
| Born: | Stirling, Stirling shire Scotland, 27 December 1870 |
| Home Town: | Glass House Mountains, Sunshine Coast, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Greenkeeper, Caretaker, farm hand |
| Died: | Short illness, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 23 July 1946, aged 75 years |
| Cemetery: |
Lutwyche Cemetery, Brisbane, Qld |
| Memorials: | Glass House Mountains RSL Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 13 May 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, 2867 | |
|---|---|---|
| 21 Oct 1916: | Involvement Private, 2867, 4th Pioneer Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '5' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Boonah embarkation_ship_number: A36 public_note: '' | |
| 21 Oct 1916: | Embarked Private, 2867, 4th Pioneer Battalion, HMAT Boonah, Brisbane | |
| 4 Dec 1918: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2867 |
Help us honour Thomas Gilvear's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Susan Brown
Before War was declared, thomas Gilvear ran a bannan farm with his wife Christina and six older sons. In May 1916, he signed up at the age of 43 with six of his sons and they went on to fight at the front.
While caring for the remaining four children and managing the farm, Christina Gilvear received telegrams with the news that three of her sons had been killed on the battlefields of France. Lance Corporal Alexander Smith Gilvear was killed in 1917 at Bullecourt. Private Robert Gilvear was killed in 1918 near Albert and Corporal Kenneth Gilvear was killed in action in 1918 at Sailley le Sec.
Private Thomas Gilvear, their father, requested a discharge from the army so that he could be with his wife and work the farm. He 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.
On July 9, 1918, he received a letter from General Birdwood advising that due to the loss of his sons he was approved to return to Australia. The Brigadier-General noted that Thomas Gilvear had suffered more than his fair share for his country.
The Gilvear's other sons were wounded in action - Sargeant Thomas Gilvear Jnr at Messines in 1917, Private James Gilvear lost a leg and Private John Gilvear was wounded in 1918.
Sadness continued when the belongings of two of the Gilvear boys killed (Pte R. Gilvear Service No. 2428 & CPL K. Gilvear, Service No. 65), were lost at sea while being transported back to Australia on the S.S. "BARUNGA": Letter dated 24 Sep 191 'the vesssel was lost at sea with all cargo. It is regretted no hope can be entertained for the recovery of these articles'
Information Courtesy of Article: Glass House Mountains family pays the price, by Robyn Hamilton, 24 April 2015.
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