Henry Charles Gardener 1869-1945

William Hubbard’s date of death (see death certificate below) confirms that he was not Henry’s father.

There’s no longer any mystery as to how Fanny and George Gardiner met – they both resided in the very small town of Somerton, NSW. I discovered a notice in the NSW Government Gazettes, 16/1/1875 (see below) that describes William Hubbard, ‘late of Somerton’. Even though William Hubbard worked away on sheep stations, his home base, appears to have been Somerton and he owned land there. William Hubbard died intestate and the notice below, indicates that his widow Frances (now married to George Gardiner) was still waiting in 1875 to inherit his (their) property.

In Warwick, Queensland, on 20 August 1915, at the age of 44 and 5 months, Henry Charles Gardener and his 16 year old son Melbourne (our grandfather) signed up to fight in World War 1. Henry Charles was actually 47 years old. Henry lowered his age (or it’s possible that he didn’t know his exact date of birth) and his 16 year old son, Melbourne put his age up to 18 years. The next day in Glen Innes, Henry’s eldest son, 17 year old George enlisted, putting his age up to 19 years. Henry’s physical characteristics are described on his enlistment papers as follows: Height: 5 feet 5 and a quarter inches, Weight: 140 pounds, Complexion: Dark, Eyes: Dark (grey is crossed out) , Hair: Dark. His marital status noted: ‘wife dead’. I have found evidence that Henry’s wife Louisa Elizabeth wasn’t dead at this time, because she is named on her father’s death certificate as living in 1917. More information on Louisa Elizabeth Walters later. Henry Charles listed his next of kin as (youngest) son Henry ”Charles” Gardener. George and Melbourne listed their next of kin as their father, Henry Charles with Henry’s (and Melbourne’s ) Warwick address: c/- A.E Morey, Glen Rd, Warwick. This Arthur Morey (friend of Henry Charles) was the ‘guardian’ for youngest son, 12 year old Henry ”Charles” Gardener, who remained in Warwick while his father and brothers embarked on a big (and terrible) adventure, culminating in the death of George Gardener in France on 3 September 1916 and the eventual return of Henry (31/10/1917) and son Melbourne (20/5/1919) to Australia. I can only surmise that life was pretty tough for the youngest (abandoned) sibling Charles Gardener alias Charles Morey, who was to spend time on the wrong side of the tracks – more on him later.

Henry’s War

The National Archives of Australia holds two sets of enlistment papers for two Henry Charles Gardeners (Gardiners). One set of papers has no service number attached and the other has the Service number 1637. I believe them to be one and the same person – same name, same age, same description, same place of birth listed (Somerton, NSW) very, very similar signatures, same weight, similar height (within an inch) and both records list a next of kin (son) in Warwick. On this basis, Henry’s first enlistment attempt in 1915 (with his sons) resulted in a 2 month stint with hard labour in Brisbane’s Boggo Rd Gaol and subsequent discharge from the Army on 26 November 1915 because it was determined that he was not likely to be an efficient soldier. It all started when Henry Charles Gardener was granted a 24 hour leave pass from Bells Paddock at Enoggera Army Camp, Enoggera, Brisbane from midday 17 September, 1915. He didn’t return to camp and after several weeks, he was classified as a deserter. Eventually, the Army was informed he was in Boggo Rd Gaol. I need to do some research at QLD State Archives to find out what this was about (and look at Henry’s gaol admission records). Henry’s sons left Brisbane together on 21 October 1915 for overseas duty, while their Dad remained in gaol. No doubt, Henry’s desire to join his sons would have motivated him to re-enlist, which he did in Toowoomba on the 22 February 1916 (his second enlistment). Finally, Henry Charles embarked at Sydney on 5 June 1916, for England. Henry Charles didn’t make it to France due to several hospital admissions (Corneal ulcer & VD). He was medically discharged due to the loss of his left eye and he embarked for return to Australia 22 July 1917. Like many soldiers, he was AWL in England on several occasions. Sadly, he wouldn’t have seen his son George again, but it’s possible he caught up with son Melbourne, in England. Melbourne Gardener was transferred from France to hospital in England, in May 1917 which coincides with periods of (his father) Henry’s absence without leave.