GILLESPIE, Alexander David (1863-1903)
GILLESPIE, Alexander David (1863-1903)
Teacher and School Principal, Alexander Gillespie seemed assured of a bright career but it was cut short by his comparatively early death at the age of 40 years.
Born on 7 May 1863 to Alexander Gillespie and Catherine Miller nee Smith he was enrolled at Geelong College on 11 February 1878, leaving at the end of that same year. His address at enrolment was Virginia St, Newtown.
His arrival at Guildford Grammar was greeted with the following newspaper account in 1899.
'Mr. A. D. Gillespie, the new headmaster of the Guildford Grammar School, arrived from Melbourne on Saturday last, and is at present the guest of Mr. C. Harper, M.L.A., at Woodbridge. Mr. Gillespie is a graduate of the Melbourne University, and a scholar of Ormond College. He has been for the last six years one of the senior masters of the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, and has all through taken a very prominent part in the sports and side institutions of the school. Mr. Gillespie comes with excellent testimonials from the Rev. F. Sergeant and other headmasters, and a long list of passes at the Melbourne matric. examinations, so that before long the Guildford Grammar School may be expected to present its quota of successful candidates for the Adelaide, local, and other examinations.'
His death was reported in the Cumberland Argus:
'DEATH OF MR. A. D. GILLESPIE. The death of Mr. A. D. Gillespie recorded in last Saturday's Argus, is 'referred to at some length in the West Australian papers. Mr. Gillespie was the husband of tho oldest daughter of Mr. Samuel Walker, of Smith-street, Parramatta. The 'West Australian', the leading Perth newspaper thus refers to Mr. Gillespie's death : — 'The many friends of Mr. A. D. Gillespie, the headmaster of the Guildford Grammar School, will regret to hear of his death, which occurred on Thursday night.
Until three weeks ago Mr. Gillespie was enjoying his usual health, but a severe cold paved the way for consumption. He moved to Mundaring, in the hope that the change would be beneficial, and died at the residence of Mr. M. H. Jacoby, M.L.A. The deceased gentleman, who was only 40 years of age was highly esteemed in educational circles, and was respected by all with whom he came in contact.
Formerly a master at the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, he came to Western Australia a little over four years ago to take charge of the Guildford Grammar School, on the death of the principal, Mr. Bennett. His undoubted ability early resulted in the advancement of the institution, which he raised to a high standard, establishing its popularity among both parents and students. His loss will be greatly felt.
The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, and was largely attended. The chief mourners were: — Mr. Gillespie (cousin) and Mr. Bennett (step-son). Messrs. C. Harper, M.L.A., H. Jacoby M.L.A., F. Brockman, H. S. King (Under-Secretary for Minos). H. De Burgh, G. T. Wood (Crown Law Department), and G. B. Lennard, and Dr. J. M. Y. Stewart acted as pall-bearers. The remains wore interred in the Anglican Cemetery, Guildford. About 50 boys of the Guildford Grammar School preceded the hearse, and at the burial ground lined up on either side of the pathway, whilst the cortege passed between them. A short service was held in St. Mathew's Church, the Rev. W. Everingham officiating.'
His funeral was extensively reported in the West Australian newspaper on 2 November 1903.
The death of Alexander Gillespie's wife was reported in 1935:
'Mrs N. L. Gillespie, widow of Mr Alex Gillespie, formerly headmaster of Guildford Grammar School, Western Australia, died at her home in Hollywood, California, on October 28. She was the eldest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Samuel Walker, of Parramatta. She married Mr Frank Bennett, then a master at The Kings School Parramatta. They went to Western Australia, where her husband founded the Guildford Grammar School shortly before his death. Later she married Mr Gillespie, the second headmaster of the school, who also pre-deceased her. Mrs Gillespie is survived by her son, Mr Alex Gillespie, and three daughters, Mrs Fred Niblo, Mrs. Marjorie Cade, and Miss Catherine Gillespie, all three of whom live in Hollywood.'
Teacher and School Principal, Alexander Gillespie seemed assured of a bright career but it was cut short by his comparatively early death at the age of 40 years.
Born on 7 May 1863 to Alexander Gillespie and Catherine Miller nee Smith he was enrolled at Geelong College on 11 February 1878, leaving at the end of that same year. His address at enrolment was Virginia St, Newtown.
His arrival at Guildford Grammar was greeted with the following newspaper account in 1899.
'Mr. A. D. Gillespie, the new headmaster of the Guildford Grammar School, arrived from Melbourne on Saturday last, and is at present the guest of Mr. C. Harper, M.L.A., at Woodbridge. Mr. Gillespie is a graduate of the Melbourne University, and a scholar of Ormond College. He has been for the last six years one of the senior masters of the Church of England Grammar School, Melbourne, and has all through taken a very prominent part in the sports and side institutions of the school. Mr. Gillespie comes with excellent testimonials from the Rev. F. Sergeant and other headmasters, and a long list of passes at the Melbourne matric. examinations, so that before long the Guildford Grammar School may be expected to present its quota of successful candidates for the Adelaide, local, and other examinations.'
His death was reported in the Cumberland Argus:
'DEATH OF MR. A. D. GILLESPIE. The death of Mr. A. D. Gillespie recorded in last Saturday's Argus, is 'referred to at some length in the West Australian papers. Mr. Gillespie was the husband of tho oldest daughter of Mr. Samuel Walker, of Smith-street, Parramatta. The 'West Australian', the leading Perth newspaper thus refers to Mr. Gillespie's death : — 'The many friends of Mr. A. D. Gillespie, the headmaster of the Guildford Grammar School, will regret to hear of his death, which occurred on Thursday night.
Until three weeks ago Mr. Gillespie was enjoying his usual health, but a severe cold paved the way for consumption. He moved to Mundaring, in the hope that the change would be beneficial, and died at the residence of Mr. M. H. Jacoby, M.L.A. The deceased gentleman, who was only 40 years of age was highly esteemed in educational circles, and was respected by all with whom he came in contact.
Formerly a master at the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, he came to Western Australia a little over four years ago to take charge of the Guildford Grammar School, on the death of the principal, Mr. Bennett. His undoubted ability early resulted in the advancement of the institution, which he raised to a high standard, establishing its popularity among both parents and students. His loss will be greatly felt.
The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, and was largely attended. The chief mourners were: — Mr. Gillespie (cousin) and Mr. Bennett (step-son). Messrs. C. Harper, M.L.A., H. Jacoby M.L.A., F. Brockman, H. S. King (Under-Secretary for Minos). H. De Burgh, G. T. Wood (Crown Law Department), and G. B. Lennard, and Dr. J. M. Y. Stewart acted as pall-bearers. The remains wore interred in the Anglican Cemetery, Guildford. About 50 boys of the Guildford Grammar School preceded the hearse, and at the burial ground lined up on either side of the pathway, whilst the cortege passed between them. A short service was held in St. Mathew's Church, the Rev. W. Everingham officiating.'
His funeral was extensively reported in the West Australian newspaper on 2 November 1903.
The death of Alexander Gillespie's wife was reported in 1935:
'Mrs N. L. Gillespie, widow of Mr Alex Gillespie, formerly headmaster of Guildford Grammar School, Western Australia, died at her home in Hollywood, California, on October 28. She was the eldest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Samuel Walker, of Parramatta. She married Mr Frank Bennett, then a master at The Kings School Parramatta. They went to Western Australia, where her husband founded the Guildford Grammar School shortly before his death. Later she married Mr Gillespie, the second headmaster of the school, who also pre-deceased her. Mrs Gillespie is survived by her son, Mr Alex Gillespie, and three daughters, Mrs Fred Niblo, Mrs. Marjorie Cade, and Miss Catherine Gillespie, all three of whom live in Hollywood.'
Enid Eulalie Bennet (1893-1969), the daughter of Nellie Mary Louise nee Walker and Frank Bennett, the first Principal of Guildford Grammar School, had a conspicuous acting career. After acting in several Australian silent films for J C Williamson's, she left for the United States in 1915 where she continued to star in several successful silent films. In 1918, she married the film director, Fred Niblo and played the role of Maid Marian in his 1922 production of Robin Hood with Douglas Fairbanks as 'Robin Hood'.
Source
Western Mail (Perth) 14 April 1899 p17 (NLA); West Australian (Perth) 2 November 1903 p5 (NLA); Cumberland Argus (Parramatta) 14 November 1903 p4; Sydney Morning Herald 26 November 1935 p16 (NLA).