KIA during WW1 from the Glasshouse Mountains (Includes three brothers)

Lest we forget

Lance-Corporal Alexander Smith Gilvear (9^th Battalion, AIF) at age 22 was KIA in France (near Bullecourt) on the 7^th May 1917.    Alex buried on the side of the front trench facing Bullecourt.   No known grave.  Remembered and Honour at Villera-Bretonneux Memorial (visited and honoured - See above).

Private Robert Gilvear (47^th Battalion, AIF) at age 20 was KIA in France (between Albert and Dernaucourt) on the 28^th March 1918.    Although official records state "no known grave" for Pte Robert Gilvear - a note in his Sevice Records shows that he was killed during the Battle of Dernancourt and buried at the Communal Cemetery 500 metres NW of the town of Dernancourt. The Military section faces east towards the railway embankment which was the site for the Battle. In a letter to Robert's parents, dated 12 May 1922, from the Official Secretary, Australia House, London, advised that although their son was recorded as having been buried in this cemetery, "his grave cannot now be found". Further research shows that there is a Military Cemetery - along the railway line - at Dernancourt today - but of the 2162 burials 177 are unknown.   Remembered and Honour at Villera-Bretonneux Memorial (visited and honoured - See above).

Corporal Kenneth Gilvear (11^th Machine Gun Company, AIF) at age 26 was KIA in France (Sally le Sec) on the 15^th April 1918.     Ken is buried in the Bonnay Communal Cemetery Extension adjoining Civil Cemetery 3 Km north of Corbie (didn't get time to visit and honour - Next time Ken!).

Harry Millns Hempstock (12th Machine Gun Company, AIF) was KIA on the 8^th June 1917 after voluntary carrying ammunition forward for the machine guns.  The Battle of Messines was the opening assault of the British Expeditionary Forces ‘Flanders Offensive’ made famous by the Australian movie ‘Beneath Hill 60.    Harry is buried in the Messines Ridge British Cemetery (Spec Memorial C2) (visited and honoured - See above).