Melmoth Leofric GATAKER [10487]

  General Notes:

Melmoth Leofrie Gataker
Spouse Name:Clara Maud Illidge
Marriage Date:05 Nov 1896
Marriage Place:Queensland
Registration Place:Queensland
Registration Year:1896
Registration Number:000830
Page Number:9062.

MEL.
The eldest son (Melmoth Leofric), affectionately known in all Maryborough as Mr. Mel, he was Mum's favourite brother. He married Clara Illidge (from Gympie) and they were the parents of Mimi (Minnie) Tommy (Amy Maud), Eric and Gertie (Fanny Gertrude) our special cousins. Uncle Mel was just a super uncle and we all loved him and had very happy holidays at 'Hockham' the Pialba house (moved from Gatakers Bay) with our cousins. Auntie Clara was a sweet natured, gentle lady, and always made us welcome on our various visits. She was a President of Maryborough Croquet Club, and uncle was very interested in bowls and was a Patron of Boon Villa Bowling Club. He had a motor car, the famous RED TERROR, the first, and I think the only car he owned, a 1929 Mystery Overland, never driven more than 30 m.p.h. n
Family Jottings by Muriel G Julius 1985

Diamond Wedding of Mr and Mrs M Gataker
Honoured citizens, Mr and Mrs Mel Gataker, of 17 North Street, will celebrate their Diamond Wedding today in the midst of their entire family circle.
Daughter Maud (Mrs Allen Braddock) is here from Brisbane. Daughter Minnie (Mrs E M Hull) has returned from Rockhampton where she was visiting her daughter. Gertie (Mrs H Nicholson) and son, Mr Mel Gataker, of 33 Barton Street, Maryborough, will attend the celebration.
Mrs Julius, Mr Gataker's only sister, is here from Brisbane, Mr Gataker's brother Mr Walton Gataker, Brisbane, was unable to make the trip.
Mrs Gataker has been here since she was a little girl living with her parents, Mr and Mrs illidge. Mr Illidge was Telegraph Master at Maryborough.
Mr Gataker has spent the whole of his life in Maryborough. He was born at his parents residents, "Milden" situated on the site of the aerodrome. With what great interest one good talk of old times with two such grand pioneers of Maryborough, times of flood, drought and of experience with aborigines. This grand couple now in their 80s have earned the respect and esteem of the whole community who join in wishing them more years of happiness together and with the devoted family who include 7 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.
Celebrations today take the form of a midday family dinner party, and visits of friends during the afternoon.
Ref Maryborough Chronicle 5 Nov 1946

MR. MEL. GATAKER HONOURED
Mr. Mel Gataker, who yesterday attained the great age of 80 years, was paid a surprise visit by officials of the Doon Villa Ladies' Club. They chose a morning visit and arrived for morning lea, giving both Mr. and Mrs. Gataker a very pleasant surprise. Mr. Gataker, who is patron of the Doon Villa Mens Club, has been a grand friend to the Ladies Club, and has helped them in many ways, The president, Mrs. J. P. Harris, who was supported by the secretary, Mrs. A. Reid., and the treasurer, Mrs. R. Hlggins, also vice president, Mrs. A. Young, made a presentation to Mr. Gataker on behalf of the club. She aiso asked Mrs. Gataker to accept a gift in honour of her birthday, which occurred on March ? Mr and Mrs. Gataker's daughters. Mesdames Hull and Nicholson. were present, and ail were very happy at the get-together. All were greatly pleased to see both Mr. and Mrs. Gataker looking so well. A birthday cake provided by the daughters was cut with much ceremony and was sampled by all present.
Ref: Maryborough Chronicle Tue 1 Apr 1952

Melmoth Leofric Gataker
Death Date:19 Dec 1957
Death Place:Queensland
Father's name:Charles Frederick
Mother's name:Fanny Gulliven Barns
Registration Year:1957
Registration Place:Queensland
Registration Number:005294
Page Number:898

  Research Notes:

Image Courtesy Pip Bucknell 2016

Melmoth married Clara Maud ILLIDGE [16576] [MRIN: 5928], daughter of Josiah Mason ILLIDGE of Queensland Au [16577] and Lucy Henrietta SCOTT [24229], on 5 Nov 1896 in Gympie Queensland. (Clara Maud ILLIDGE [16576] was born in 1875 and died on 9 Sep 1959 in Maryborough Qld Aust..)