Gilbert Telfer

Role: Third child of Mark Telfer and Julia Seebohm

Relation	Name
Father	Mark Telfer (1877–1946)
Mother	Julia Matilda Seebohm (1876–1939)
Spouse	Jessie Allan
Siblings	Floris Ethel Victoria Telfer (1904–1951), Kenneth Alexander Telfer (1904–?), Jean Maryann Martha Telfer (1910–1984), Joyce Elizabeth Telfer (1912–2012), Maifie Beryl Telfer (1913–1948), Lindsay Roland Telfer (1920–1976)
Children	Beth Telfer (married Clive Lipscombe), Ian Telfer (married Sally Taylor), Allan Telfer (married Christine Marshall)

Gilbert Melville Telfer (the book records his given names as Gilbert Melville, not Melvin McLeod — he was known as "Mel") was born in 1911, the third child of Mark Telfer (1877–1946) and Julia Matilda Seebohm (1876–1939) of Tantanoola, South Australia.

He married Jessie Allan and they had three children — Beth, who married Clive Lipscombe; Ian, who married Sally Taylor; and Allan, who married Christine Marshall.

Mel was a good footballer, playing at centre wing and proving formidable as a fast player and a good ball handler. He was an opening batsman for the Tantanoola Cricket team and made many centuries. He was a most useful member of the team and excelled as the wicket keeper. When his eyesight no longer permitted him to play football and cricket, Mel played bowls, both indoor and outdoor, and proved to be an excellent player.

Like his father and brothers, he was interested in local affairs and was a Life Member of the Tantanoola Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Society.

In his father's obituary, he was listed as "Mel Telfer, Tantanoola".

Family Stories

Mel was the third child of Mark and Tillie Telfer. The book describes him as a fine sportsman — a good footballer who played centre wing, fast and a good ball handler; an opening batsman for the Tantanoola Cricket team who made many centuries and excelled as wicket keeper. When his eyesight no longer allowed him to play football and cricket, he took up bowls, both indoor and outdoor, and proved an excellent player. Like his father and brothers, he was interested in local affairs and was a Life Member of the Tantanoola Pastoral, Agricultural and Horticultural Society. He married Jessie Allan and they had three children — Beth, Ian and Allan. (From the Borders to the Bush, p.243)

Sources

• From the Borders to the Bush by Donald Telfer (1986) — page 243