Mary Ann Dillon
Biography
Role: Second wife of Robert Telfer Dillon (1862–1942); mother of his four later children
Born: 21 May 1887
Died: 5 September 1954 (aged 68) — buried Houghton Cemetery with Robert
Father: Matthew Gelligen; Mother: Mary Ann Haunert
Spouse: Robert Telfer Dillon (m. 29 May 1915)
Family
| Relation | Name |
|---|---|
| Father | Matthew Gelligen (1851–1934) |
| Mother | Mary Ann Haunert Gelligen (1850–1931) |
| Brother | Bernard Sydney Gelligen (1910–1977) |
| Husband | Robert Telfer Dillon (1862–1942) |
| Son | Robert Frank Dillon (1915–?) |
| Son | Leslie James Dillon (1916–1941) — Pte, KIA Tobruk 1941 |
| Son | Henry John Dillon (1918–?) |
| Daughter | Beatrice Mary (Dillon) Murray — m. Joseph Robert Murray |
Life Summary
Mary Ann Gelligen married Robert Telfer Dillon on 29 May 1915 at the Registry Office Adelaide, a second marriage for both lines on his side — the official South Australian registration (Adelaide, Book 263/Page 615) records her at 30, a spinster, daughter of Matthew Gelligen, and Robert at 51, a widower, son of John Charles Dillon. Mary Ann and Robert raised four children in the Tea Tree Gully district. Robert died in 1942; Mary Ann outlived him, dying 5 September 1954. They share a grave at Houghton Cemetery, whose headstone remembers both and their son Leslie, killed at Tobruk.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 21 May 1887 | Born |
| 29 May 1915 | Married Robert Telfer Dillon — Registry Office Adelaide (Book 263/615) |
| 14 Sep 1915 | Son Robert Frank Dillon born (Adelaide) |
| 2 Dec 1916 | Son Leslie James Dillon born |
| 20 Jan 1918 | Son Henry John Dillon born (Tea Tree Gully) |
| 8 Sep 1919 | Daughter Beatrice Mary "Popsy" Dillon born |
| 9 Jul 1941 | Son Pte Leslie James Dillon killed in action, Tobruk |
| 9 Sep 1942 | Husband Robert Telfer Dillon died (aged 79) |
| 5 Sep 1954 | Mary Ann died (aged 68) — buried Houghton Cemetery, Section E Row 10 Site 350 |
Sources
- Genealogy SA (official): Marriage Registration — Adelaide, Book 263/Page 615, 29 May 1915 — groom Robert DILLON (widower, 51, father John Charles DILLON), bride Mary Ann GELLIGEN (spinster, 30, father Matthew GELLIGEN) — member login, accessed 3 Sep 2026
- Find A Grave: Mary Ann Gelligen Dillon (1887–1954) — memorial 192688085 — accessed 3 Sep 2026 (birth 21 May 1887, death 5 Sep 1954, plot with Robert; family links to Matthew & Mary Ann Haunert Gelligen, Bernard Sydney Gelligen, Robert, Leslie, Beatrice)
- Find A Grave: Robert Telfer Dillon (1862–1942) — memorial 192688162 — accessed 3 Sep 2026
- Find A Grave (gravestone photo): Houghton Cemetery, Section E Row 10 Site 350 — headstone "ALSO Mary Ann, beloved wife of Robert Telfer, died Sept 5th 1954 aged 68" — accessed 3 Sep 2026
Tags
Spouse
- Robert Telfer Dillon (1862 – 1942)
Children
- Leslie James Dillon (1916 – 1941)