Robert Freddy Telfer

Born: 4 January 1886, Rosaville SA
Died: 14 February 1949, Burnside SA (age 63)
Mother: Martha Henstridge (~1854–1921)
Father: John Telfer (1840–1913)
Spouse: May Foy (m. 15 Aug 1919)

Family

Life Summary

Robert Freddy Telfer was the eleventh child of John Telfer and Martha Clara Henstridge — the seventh of Martha Henstridge's twelve children — born 4 January 1886 at Rosaville, South Australia. He remained geographically anchored within his home state. On 15 August 1919, at the age of 33, he married 31-year-old May Foy (daughter of Richard Maurice Foy) at the Methodist Manse in Mount Gambier, reflecting the strong non-conformist Protestant traditions within the family.

Robert eventually relocated to the eastern suburbs of Adelaide. He died at the age of 63 on 14 February 1949 in Burnside, South Australia. His death registration (District Code: Nor, Book: 737, Page: 866) confirms his status as a married man residing in Burnside at the time of his passing.

Family Stories

Robert Freddy Telfer was the eleventh child of John and Martha Telfer, born on 4 January 1886 at Rosaville, South Australia. He served in the First World War. From the Borders to the Bush (1989), p.252 records him as "the eleventh child of John Telfer… born in 1886 and served with the A.LF. [A.I.F.] in the First World War" — the book's house spelling "A.LF." is a print setting of A.I.F. On 15 August 1919, at the age of 33, he married May Foy at the Methodist Manse in Mount Gambier. After the war, Robert eventually settled in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, where he lived out his years until his death in 1949.

(From the Borders to the Bush, p.252)

Timeline

Sources

• ✅ Print: From the Borders to the Bush (1989), p.252 — "Robert Freddy Telfer the eleventh child of John Telfer, He was born in 1886 and served with the A.LF. [A.I.F.] in the First World War. He died in 1946." Printed page = a source in its own right (rule 17 Sep 2026). Verified against the PDF text layer of the vault's own copy.
• ✅ Print: A Telfer Family Tree — Supplement (2008), p.272 — "11. Robert Freddy TELFER, b. 4 Jan 1886 Rosaville, SA, d. 14 Feb 1949 at his residence, Burnside, SA; m. May FOY… Robert and May did not have any children."
• ⚠️ Book-vs-book conflict on his death year: the 1989 book gives 1946; the 2008 book gives 14 Feb 1949. The 2008 book is followed (full date + place). The 1989 '1946' is a print error.
• ✅ Approved Deep Research Report: "The Descendants of John Telfer (1841–1913) of Tantanoola" (Skippy review 29 May 2026) — via WikiTree Telfer-549, FamilySearch, SA BDM registration