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 William John Telfer (1906–1970), 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 From the Borders to the Bush records his given names as Gilbert Melville, not Melvin McLeod — he was known as "Mel") was born on 24 August 1908 at Tantanoola, South Australia, 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".

He enlisted for service in the Second World War on 20 May 1941 (service number S5721). He died on 16 April 1973 and was buried at Tantanoola Cemetery.

Family Stories

Mel was the third child of Mark and Tillie Telfer. The book From the Borders to the Bush 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

• Tantanoola Cemetery (Ozburials transcription): headstone of Gilbert Melville Telfer — died 16 April 1973, aged 64 years (correction: prior vault death range 1978 was book-only; headstone overrides)
• Australian War Memorial / WW2 Nominal Roll (S5721): Gilbert Melville Telfer, born Tantanoola SA 24 August 1908, enlisted 20 May 1941 (correction: prior vault birth range 1911 was book-only)
• From the Borders to the Bush by Donald Telfer (1986) — page 243