Albert Ernest Gard by Ric Francis

Albert Ernest Gard (Bert)

He was born in Broken Hill 7th January 1894 & married his wife Ethel May on 16^th July 1923, at St Johns Anglican Church in Kalgoorlie. Ethel May was born in Coolgardie 3^rd March 1900.

His father (Jim) was born in St Ives in Cornwell about 1860, and apparently gained some experience in the Mining there, because when Australia was seeking men with mining experience in the later part of 1800’s, he migrated to Australia and worked in the mining industry in Broken Hill. He married Emily Moore from Burra Burra South Australia and Albert was the only child from the union .He started his school life at Burke Ward School in Broken Hill.

Tramway Employee Record Pg 1

About 1901 Jim moved over to Kalgoorlie and worked on the South Kalgurli mine and was later joined by his wife and son to live in Boulder. Bert continued his education at Boulder Central School.

Some highlights of his career from the Tramways Employees Records:

1. Several times between 1916 and 1918 he had leave granted to attend a military camp at Mungarri.
2. 28 Nov 1918- was seen to enter an hotel while on duty, was threatened with dismissal if it happened again.
3. Annual uniform allowance of £5.
4. 1 Feb 1921 – Went on strike Rejoined 24 Feb 1921.
5. 24 Feb 1926 – Broke window on Car 17, he was informed he would have to pay if there was a repitition.
6. Jul 1929 – a month of work with Pneumonia.
7. Jun 26 1933 – Accident, ran into a motor car – off duty 2 weeks.
8. Apr 18 1942 – Was a motorman in a fatal accident Coroners verdict ‘No Blame’.
9. Apr 19 1948 – Passed police test for an Omnibus Passenger licence
10. May 1948 Resigned.

From the time Bert joined The Kalgoorlie Electric Tramways in 1915 little is known except that he did join his father at mining at Gard’s Find at Mt Monger.

Tramway Employee Record Pg 2

During his period with the Tramways, he started as a Conductor thence a Motorman and ultimately as an Inspector. He left the Tramways in the 1950’s.

Tramway Employee pg 3

Some additional information has been supplied about Alfred by OFH reader John Pritchard:

• He married Ethel May Plummer in the East Coolgardie (Kalgoorlie) district in 1923 as indicated before.
• Newspaper report of their wedding https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/34260358?searchTerm=albert%20gard (note two day difference in date of event happening. I cant tell if 16 or 18 July would be correct except that my reckoning says 16th was a Monday and 18th was a Wednesday).
• Albert passed away at age 84 years in the Carlisle area of WA on 31/01/1978. Ethel May Gard passed away at age 80 years also in the Carlisle area of WA on 07/05/1980. They lay at rest in the same location at Karrakatta Cemetery.

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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