Private: 2434 Samuel GILCHRIST.

35th BATTALION AIF

Private: 2434 Samuel GILCHRIST.

Born: 4th April 1891. Adamstown via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Birth Cert:3641/1891.

Married: 1913. Wickham, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:10225/1913.

Wife: Ruby Josephine Gilchrist. nee: Williams. (1896-1960)

Died: 29th August 1947. Islington via Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Death Cert:17398/1947.

Father: William Gilchrist. (1862-1930)

Mother: Amy Gilchrist. nee: Jackson. (1867-1913)

INFORMATION

Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate cemetery, not forgotten.

75 years ago today, on the Sunday afternoon of the 31st August 1947, Private Samuel George Gilchrist, 35th Battalion (Reg No-2434), shunter (Steel Works, Newcastle, N.S.W.), from 43 Gipps Street, Carrington, New South Wales, father of three (Amy, Ivy, Billie), was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 56. ANGLICAN 3-154. 11.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140313733 - funeral notice states service.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134235800 - Death Notice.

Born at Adamstown, New South Wales on the 4th April 1891 to William and Amy Gilchrist; husband of Ruby Josephine Gilchrist nee Williams (married 1913, Wickham, N.S.W., died 1960, sleeping here), Sam enlisted May 1916 at Carrington, N.S.W.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133880561 - In Memorium notice for mother Amy (died 18.6.1913, age 46 - METHODIST 2 (PRIMITIVE) 3 SW. 30., marked grave.

Admitted to hospital 8.6.1917 (shell shock, Battle of Messines - https://www.military-history.org/feature/shell-shock.htm).

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article134870005 - report that Sam in hospital suffering from shell shock.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128042509 - Sam reported wounded.

Transferred to England 12.6.1917.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article138739354 - report that Sam is returning home.

Sam returned home November 1917, being discharged medically unfit on the 20th December 1917.

Carrington Roll of Honour

Mr. Gilchrist’s name has been inscribed on the Carrington Citizens' Memorial Gates, Carrington Football Club Roll of Honor - http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article140071031, Carrington Municipal District Roll of Honor (photo, unveiled date unknown, 275 names inscribed, 42 Fallen, proudly displayed at the Fort Scratchley Military Museum, Nobbys Road, Newcastle East, N.S.W.) and The Capt. Clarence Smith Jeffries (V.C.) and Pte. William Matthew Currey (V.C.) Memorial Wall.

Carrington War Memorial

Older brother Edward (Ted, 30th Battalion, Reg No-2342, born 1888, Adamstown, N.S.W., died 30.4.1952, Wallsend, N.S.W., age 63) also resting at the cemetery. METHODIST 2 (PRIMITIVE) 3 SW. 28. Note - name not inscribed on gravesite plaque, wooden cross to be erected.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133756117 - report that brother Ted in hospital suffering from trench feet.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162570110 - welcome home Richard and Ted.

Older brother William Henry (35th Battalion, Reg No-2318, born 1885, Adamstown, N.S.W., died 7.1.1959, Burwood, N.S.W.) also served 1st A.I.F.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133889860 - farewell and presentation of medal to brother William at the Carrington School of Arts Hall by the Patriotic Committee.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159095307 - report of medal presentation to relatives of brother William at the Hamilton Mechanics' Institute.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article133752086 - report that brother William had arrived safely in London.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137495037 - report that brother William has been wounded.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137492040 - report that brother William is suffering from severe gunshot wounds in legs.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137499417 - report that brother William is progressing favourably.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137487146 - report that brother William is convalescent.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139645278 - report that brother William is returning home soon.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139645188 - report that brother William welcomed home at the Carrington School of Arts.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159369906 - William attends welcome home banquet at the Carrington School of Arts.

Younger brother Richard (M.M., 30th Battalion, Reg No-2343, born 1896, Wickham, N.S.W., died 4.8.1968, Newcastle, N.S.W.) also served 1st A.I.F.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137496478 - report that brother Richard had been wounded and in hospital.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article137487909 - report that brother Richard had been discharged from hospital.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139442833 - report that brothers Richard and Ted returning home soon.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article139440128 - welcome home Richard and Ted.

I have placed poppies and a 1914-1918 WAR label at the gravesite in remembrance of Sam’s service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.

Many thanks to Kerry Gilchrist for the following information (July 2021).

My Grandfather Samuel George Gilchrist is resting at Sandgate Cemetery. He served with the 1st A.I.F. and was wounded I think in France. When the 2nd World War started, he tried to enlist but because of his injuries he was knocked back. He was then made air raid warden for Carrington. He is also on the Carrington Citizens' Memorial Gates. I have his medals and the badges he received for his services to the people of Carrington during those years and I would love to find out more about him.

Service record states Died after Discharge, 29/8/1947.

Plaque in New South Wales Garden of Remembrance.

For more detail, see “Forever Remembered “

http://www.commemoratingwarheroes.com/cemetery-main-search/

Lest We Forget.

(Gary Mitchell: September 2022)

Family Information

Samuel was a married 25 year old shunter at the Steel Works, Newcastle, N.S.W. and lived at 43 Gipps Street, Carrington via Newcastle, N.S.W.

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate (NSW : 1876 - 1954) , Saturday 9 August 1930, page 14