Garr in uniform (RSL War Memorial, 2017)
Private Glamor Garr (4417)
Glamor Garr was born in Palmerston Darwin on 22nd September 1893 (Australian War Memorial, 2017). His real name was Guillermo Gah (also written as Ga, Gar or Garr); as a young boy the nickname “Glomo” was developed. Glamor was a pearl-shell diver like his father and grew up on Carlos Beach (also known as Dinah Beach) near Frances Bay, Northern Territory. His family moved around a great deal, living and working in many different places (Northern Territory Government, 2015). Glamor parents were Carlos and Mary Anne Garr (nee Bunyan) from Carmarthenshire, Wales (RSL, 2017); they moved to Palmerston, Darwin around 1892-1893. Garr was the fifth born child in his family and one of four boys and one girl. His father Carlos was Filipino and his occupation was a pearl-shell diver. At the age of 16, Carlos would travel to Thursday Island and spend his time working there and at Port Darwin. While at these locations, he would either be pearl-shell diving or fishing for trepan, a variety of fish. Sadly, Mary Anne, his mother, drowned near Fort Hill Bath House in 1909, and was laid to rest at Palmerston Cemetery (Northern Territory Government, 2015).
On 22nd November 1915, Glamor aged 22 years enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces in Brisbane, Queensland. Although Glamor was from Palmerston, Darwin, he had travelled to Queensland to enlist. His service number was 4417. On his enlistment he used the name ‘Glamor’ Garr. He was assigned to the 26th Infantry Battalion, and also assisted the 11th Reinforcement (RSL Virtual War Memorial, 2017). When completing his enlistment forms, the army personnel misunderstood his occupation and consequently, his form listed his occupation as labourer driver- not pearl shell diver Glamor’s brothers William (SN 3051), Matthew (SN 428) and Palencino had also enlisted in the AIF in 1915; however, Palencino did not serve as he was deemed medically unfit. Sadly, both Glamor’s brothers, Matthew and William, died in action during battle. Glamor’s sister Maria was listed as his next of kin on his enlistment forms (RSL, 2017).
Glamor’s rank was private and after initial training in Brisbane he travelled on 30th March 1916 aboard the HMAT ‘Star of Victoria’ (Northen Territory Government, 2015). Later in June 1916, Glamor’s photo was featured in an issue of The Queenslander Pictorial alongside other soldiers who were part of reinforcements assigned to the 26th Battalion (State Library of Queensland, 2017). In August of 1916, Glamor joined his battalion and participated in the attack on Pozières (Northern Territory Government, 2015). Glamor suffered gunshot wounds to his back and chest and was transported to 23rd General Hospital at Etaples. Upon his recovery he was returned to Hindenburg Line defence in April of 1917 (Northern Territory Government, 2015). On 17th July, 1918, whilst a member of the 26t Battalion, Glamor was involved in military action to the south of Villers-Bretonneux. During the attack it was recorded that Glamor “Displayed great coolness and exceptional bravery under very heavy artillery fire while sending messages back to the headquarters” (AIF 2017), when he helped in securing their vulnerable position. Due to this, Garr earned himself the first of three military awards as well as receiving the British War Medal and Victory Medal. He was one of twenty Territorians who received commendations for service during the War (Northern Territory Government, 2015; AIF, 2017).
On 19th May, 1919, Glamor embarked on the HT ‘Ypiringa’ and returned to Melbourne on 5th July. He caught a train to Brisbane where he was discharged from the Army on 28th August; it was at this point that Glamor decided to settle on Thursday Island (RSL, 2017). After 23 years, Glamor again decided to serve his country when World War Two was declared. He enlisted again on 9th May, 1942 in Cairns, Queensland with the Volunteer Defence Corps; he was with the 15th Garrison Battalion, Homeland Defence (militia and non-deployed forces). He served for 2 years and was then discharged in April 1944 (RSL Virtual War Memorial, 2017). Glamor is listed on the Thursday Island Honour Board even though he was born in Darwin. In 1968, the Darwin Council named “Garr Street” in the suburb of Moil, in honour of Glamor and his brothers Private Matthew and Private William who also served with the AIF and tragically died in action (RSL, 2017). Glamor Garr passed away in Queensland on 30th April 1973 (Northern Territory Government, 2015); his served his country for many years and his courage and bravery cannot be overlooked.
Reference List
Australian Defence Force. 2017. Details. Available at: https://aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=107854. [Accessed 29 September 2017].
The Australian War Memorial. 2017. Private Glamor Garr. Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10679091. [Accessed 29 September 2017].
Northern Territory Government, 2017. Territory Stories: Glamor Garr. Available at: http://www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/235594. [Accessed 29 September 2017].
RSL Sponsors. 2017. Newsletters. Available at: http://www.rslangelescity.com/newsletters/2017-04.pdf. [Accessed 29 September 2017].
RSL Virtual War Memorial. 2017. Glamor GARR MM. Available at: https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/328243. [Accessed 29 September 2017].
State Library of Queensland, 2017. The Queenslander Pictorial 1916. Available at: http://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/primo_library/libweb/action/dlDisplay.do?vid=SLQ&search_scope=SLQ_PCI_EBSCO&docId=slq_digitool948954&fn=permalink. [Accessed 29 September 2017].
Garr featured in ‘Queenslander Pictorial’ in 1916. (State Library of Queensland, 2017)
Reverse side of Military Medal (RSL Virtual War Memorial, 2017)