On this Australia Day 2020 this post lists those who enlisted in the Australian Army in World War Two. Whilst there is only one not born in Australia I beleive there were different motives for enlisting to defend their country. Clearly in WW1 the message of "For King and Country" was used prolifically. In WW2 there was a distinct shift to Australians defending the freedom of Australia.
Look through the list and see if you can identify your family connections. If you know your Sivyer descendant history you can see that in the middle of the 20th century there was still a distinct geographical area grouping of the various Sivyer families.
Name Service Number Date of Birth Place of Birth Service
SIVYER, ANDREW ROY Q219968 01 Aug 1891 GOULBURN, NSW Army
SIVYER, CLIFFORD D'ARCY QX42690 14 Feb 1898 MARYBOROUGH, QLD Army
SIVYER, DOUGLAS 20950 30 Sep 1920 QUIRINDI, NSW RAAF
SIVYER, DOUGLAS SIDNEY QX30739 06 Mar 1919 KINGAROY, QLD Army
SIVYER, DULCIE MAY QF271056 18 Jan 1918 TOOWOOMBA, QLD Army
SIVYER, FREDERICK JAMES QX30985 26 Mar 1914 STANNARY HILLS, QLD Army
SIVYER, GORDON WILLIAM 296596 25 Apr 1912 LONDON, ENGLAND RAAF
SIVYER, GRAHAM DAWSON O11854 16 May 1922 ROCKHAMPTON, QLD RAAF
SIVYER, HENRY JOHN RUSSELL N288137 14 Oct 1902 WEST MAITLAND, NSW Army
SIVYER, JAMES QX30027 10 Apr 1904 BURNETT HEADS, QLD Army
SIVYER, JOHN VALENTINE QX63058 28 Mar 1925 ROCKHAMPTON, QLD Army
SIVYER, JOHN WILLIAM 135223 26 Jul 1910 CESSNOCK, NSW RAAF
SIVYER, JOSEPH SPENCER Q215430 27 Mar 1910 BUNDABERG, QLD Army
SIVYER, KENNETH JOHN W71793 17 Sep 1912 NORTHAM, WA Army
SIVYER, KENNETH STANLEY QX43330 30 Aug 1923 COOROY, QLD Army
SIVYER, MERVYN SPENCER QX56952 07 Jul 1918 COOROY, QLD Army
SIVYER, NORMAN REGINALD 20187 18 Jan 1921 MOREE, NSW RAAF
SIVYER, RONALD DOUGLAS QX61929 17 Feb 1926 COOROY, QLD Army
SIVYER, RONALD WILLIAM 124065 26 Aug 1924 INNISFAIL, QLD RAAF
SIVYER, STANLEY HUME Q106909 27 Apr 1888 PIMPAMA, QLD Army
SIVYER, THOMAS ROY QX15024 04 Apr 1917 SHANNARY HILLS, QLD Army
SIVYER, WILLIAM JOSEPH WX25823 10 Nov 1922 MIDLAND JUNCTION, WA Army
Sunday, January 26, 2020
Saturday, January 25, 2020
John Sivyer Holden
Now straight away many reading this will have not understand the relevance of this post. Readers of this post who are Sivyer descendants but non Australian will recognise two of the three names in the post title. The given name John Sivyer has occurred multiple times in the lineage of all Sivyer families. Now for Australian born Sivyer descendants the word Holden does have significance. Holden were the last Australian car manufacturer who produced their last cars in the Commodore range in 2015. This sadly was the demise of the Australian car manufacturing industry.
When we put the three words together we have a title that will mean something specifically to Brisbane, Queensland born Sivyer descendants. On a personal note the words John Sivyer Holden changed my life in the most amazing ways. Growing up with the surname Sivyer was never simple when it came to roll call, name pronunciation, and spelling of your name. These were always issues that I am sure many of you will assimilate. For me this changed when the three words "John Sivyer Holden" appeared in the public domain.
Brisbane as a capital city in Australia was never the largest in population and to highlight this my research tells me that in 1980 the Sivyer surname appeared in nine families in the Brisbane regional area. Looking at these nine families six of these were directly related to myself in being uncles, aunties or cousins.
In 1971 suddenly out of nowhere came the words John Sivyer Holden. Yes there was another Sivyer in Brisbane. Remember as an 18 year old in 1971 I had no access to electoral rolls or only knew that the Sivyer name was connected to my immediate family. Now we had a car dealership under the name John Sivyer Holden. I asked my father, who is John Sivyer Holden? At that time my father said that we were related but I do not remember the finer details but basically it went like this. Yes he is related and his father was connected to Eagers (major Holden dealership) but we have never met the family. Well that was enough knowledge for me but it was wonderful having your surname in lights, on car bumpers, advertisements and in the paper etc.. Yes I even saw my surname on television. Now there were people who could pronounce your surname.
There was the inevitable question "are you related to John Sivyer Holden?" My answer was yes distantly but we have never met even though we live in the same small city. Also my personal interests at the time were based around motor cars and motorsport and many people assumed I had a direct connection to John Sivyer Holden. John Sivyer Holden stayed in operation as a major car dealership through to the year 2006 when a major redistribution of General Motors Holden (GMH) sadly saw the John Sivyer dealership subsumed into a larger network of GMH car sales and service outlets.
In later years I came to understand my true relationship to John Sivyer Holden and nearly fifty years on I still get asked the question by long term local residents when I am introduced "Are you related to John Sivyer Holden?" Now I have a simple and truthful answer. Yes my great grandfather and John Sivyer's great grandfather was the same person. That person is Spencer Sivyer but we are descended from different great grandmothers. John Sivyer is descended from the first wife and I am descended from Spencer's second marriage.
Hopefully you are now getting a picture of Brisbane at the time which was really a large regional town in relation to Sydney and Melbourne. Of interest to us is that we had two of the direct descendant lines of Spencer Sivyer having never met and still to this day have not met. I do understand that my father Ron Sivyer did meet and did know the father of John Sivyer one Clifford D'Arcy (Barney) Sivyer.
Below is the direct line from Spencer to myself and Allan John (Jack) Sivyer or aka John Sivyer Holden.
Spencer Sivyer - Elizabeth Hogg Bathgate
Marriage. SIVYER—ADAM.—At the residence of Captain French, on the 14th instant, by the Rev. J. I. Knipe, Albert George, second son of Spencer Sivyer, of Devon Park, to Isabella, eldest daughter of R. Darcy Adam, of Barcaldine.
Those who know the story of Spencer Sivyer will know that there were definitely characteristics of entrepreneur, salesman, and businessman reflected in his adventurous life.
http://sivyer.com.au/spencer-sivyer/
These genetic characteristics definitely appeared in the forebears of Allan John Sivyer.
The following information is purely based on research from newspaper reports, official birth, deaths and marriage records and internet resources. I have never met any of Albert August George (A.G.) Sivyer's descendants or have been provided with any family information. Therefore to the best of my knowledge the following is correct.
ALBERT AUGUSTUS GEORGE SIVYER
Albert was born on 14 May 1864 at Picton, New South Wales the fourth child of and second son of Spencer Sivyer and Elizabeth Hogg Bathgate. From previous research it is believed Spencer and family moved to Maryborough, Queensland in 1864, Albert or A.G. as he was commonly known as had just been born. Therefore he grew up in the Maryborough and Bundaberg district. His mother died tragically from hepatitis in Bundaberg in 1880, Albert at 17 years of age would have been a young man out in the workforce. He is recorded as applying to be on the electoral roll for Maryborough in 1885. The address provided was Ellana Street which today still consists of some wonderful period homes from that time. We know that Spencer and Harriet (Coram) were not living in Maryborough at that time so Albert was a working man of self sufficient means. For the election of 1890 he is listed as living at Adelaide Street, Maryborough so one could assume that he was living in boarding houses which was common at that time. During 1890 A. G. Sivyer is listed as travelling by ship between Brisbane and Maryborough on more than one occasion. This piece of information forms one of the key parts of the life A.G. Sivyer in that he was an early travelling salesman.
In 1895 an advertisement was placed in the Maryborough Chronicle where A.G.Sivyer the Hon. Secretary was the contact. This advertisement was for the first Maryborough Liederfatel. This is where men sing in harmony. Now many reading this will note with interest the talents of A. G. Sivyer and the musical connection.
The first evidence of A. G's occupation or work placement is in reference to a cricket match between Stupart's Drapery and Finney, Isles and Co. in 1895. A. G. Sivyer was part of the drapery or clothing trade. For the rest of his working life he would be always associated with this trade. This would be very different to the colonial outdoor life of his father Spencer. By 1896 he was a manager in Stupart's Drapery Palace and had a gift for sales and promotion.
After many it appears successful years as a manager in the Palace Drapery and active in sporting, social, and community life in Maryborough he left for a position in Brisbane with Edwards and Lamb Drapers. In his parting speech he spoke about his connection with Stupart's Drapery for over 20 years. This provides the information to conclude that he entered the drapery trade as a young man in Maryborough.
Albert was only in Brisbane for a few years when in 1906 he returned to establish his own drapery store in Maryborough. A. G. was well known for his style of promotion. He had an ability to promote himself through short sharp and prolific advertisemants. An example would be "Buy from Sivyer he is the best". One of the more unusual and some may say eccentric is the following one.
'I was a stranger and ye (A.D. 30 took me in' (A.D. 1908) took me down —
it's one and the same thing. As it was in the beginning, even so it is now.
Shoddy-made Goods palmed on to the unsuspecting and trusting stranger, in
lieu of the geuuine Australian-made Articles that A. G. Sivyer is selling; and
so the same old squeal goes on. only men in 1908 use more adjective words when
they find out they have been taken down. Now, these Australian-made Goods — Shirts, Trousers, Hats, etc., that A. G. Sivyer is putting on the market are well worthy of your attention. There is nothing of a shoddv nature in Australias best, as supplied by A. G.
Sivyer, Kent Street.
Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947), Wednesday 19 December 1906, page 2
A. G. SIVYER.
Another new firm. Mr. Sivyer confines his attention to men's wear and adornment, and his neat little shop is replete with hats and ties in the latest Sydney styles, suits, umbrellas, shirts, travelling requisites. The window contains an attractive display of the goods within.
Once again he was active in the community involved with lawn bowls and patron of the Maryborough Swimming Association. In 1907 he was one of the vice presidents of Maryborough Rugby Union.
Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947), Monday 9 September 1907, page 2
Another move in business circles is on the tapis, so we are informed. Albert Sivyer. The Men's Mercer, of the Royal Buildings, is about to move into those central premises owned by William H. Williams, now occupied by John S Marshall, one of our leading tailors Albert G. Sivyer, in the meantime, is going to run a sale of his present stock, starting Saturday morning. Customers will have a chance now of seeing how the man, recently 'from the hot bed of competition, Brisbane,' can. put the knife into prices. We are informed that there is not going to be any 'side' stepping' in prices. Every article for cash will be offered at Bargain Prices at Sivyer's Great Camp-shifting Sale.
In 1909 a major fire occurred in the block of shops that A. G occupied.
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Tuesday 19 January 1909, page 4
A serious fire occurred in Kent street Maryborough, early yesterday morning. Five shops were destroyed. The buildings were owned by Mr. W. H. Williams, and the occupiers were A. G. Sivyer (mercer), T. Sheppard (bicycle depot), U. Hill (tailor), McWatters (fruiterer),
and Copps (confectioner).
Unfortunately it appears that his business suffered greatly from this fire and the following advertisement was placed in the paper in February 1909.
FINAL NOTICE. IN THE MATTER OF ALBERT G. SIVYER, LATE MERCER-. MARYBOROUGH.
Creditors and Debtors.
CREDITORS are requested to send in their ACCOUNTS to him, c/o W. Adam & Son..
DEBTORS.— FINAL NOTICE.— All Accounts owing to the said A. G. SIVYER, must lie settled forthwith, at the same address.
Albert and family moved once again to Brisbane. The electoral rolls have him and his family living in what is now the inner northern suburbs of Brisbane namely Wooloowin, Clayfield and Ascot. Some could say that these suburbs were always a more elite or contained wealthier income area of the city. A. G. was active within the lawn bowls community but it appears he had a long association with the Commercial Travellers Association of Queensland. His occupation was listed as traveller. He was a travelling salesman it can be assumed for some company or business within the clothing industry. My father spoke of "Uncle Albert" staying at the Sivyer farm at Tinbeerwah as he passed through that area. As to what time frame that was it would most likely be in the early 1930s when my father was a young boy.
Albert August George Sivyer died on 23rd November 1950 in Brisbane.
CLIFFORD D'ARCY SIVYER
Born February 15th 1898 in Maryborough he was the first born of three children to A. G Sivyer and Isabella Adams. The first record of C. D. Sivyer (he was known as C. D.) is in 1913 when he won the prize at the national show for the best essay, boys over 15 years. He was attending the prestigious Brisbane Boys Grammar School. This school today is still Queensland's most highly ranked and regarded boy's school.
His first work appointment was as a clerk 5th class in the Commonwealth Public Service in 1915. He was on 6 months probation. On the 30th. June 1915 he resigned as a clerk from the public service accounts branch. In 1916 C. D. was attending the Central Technical School (Brisbane) where he was studying bookkeeping stage 1. This was to be the start of his life long journey through accounting and then into various businesses and then business management. In June of 1918 he successfully passed the examination of the Institute of Accounts Queensland division.
Continuing on the characteristics of his forebears C. D. Sivyer wrote to the editor of the Daily Mail in 1919. At this time he was a young man of 21 but definitely fearless in expressing his opinion. Now whilst I have not reproduced the full letter as it is quite extensive it does portray the courage of young C. D. in expressing his opinion. The timing of this letter is even more extraordinary as Australia was still recovering from the great war which had only just finished the following year.
Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903 - 1926), Tuesday 6 May 1919, page 9
"TIN SOLDIER" ABSURDITIES.
To the Editor
Sir,— In yesterday's papers, there appeared an announcement, in the grand phraseology of the military, concerning the 2nd Battalion of the 9th Infantry (Moreton Regiment).
The information conveyed is to the effect that Citizen Force trainees who are attached to that battalion will drill on certain days during May! Merely put an announcement in the papers and hundreds of young men must leave their work, leave, their pay, and leave anything else they may be interested in, to rush off to the various places it pleases the military authorities to mention, and spend six hours per day, turning and wheeling about in a paddock. They don't even pay us the simple courtesy of a personal memo to attend parade, or at least they haven't done so for, and the first parade is only four days off. I wonder does it ever occur to the authorities that although we young fellows are military trainees, we are also ordinary citizens, with ordinary citizen duties, engagements, and responsibilities. ..................
I write this in the nature of a protest. I must go to drill with the rest, and must submit to being howled at and sworn at "by my superiors": with as good a grace as possible. That part doesn't matter. But I really do think that to put a notice such as I have mentioned in the papers, and that notice to be indisputable by employers and employees shouldn't be disregarded, is just a little beyond the limit for an allegedly democratic Australia. I do sincerely hope that employers will take some steps towards preventing this utter disregard for their rights and convenience Yours, etc., C. D. SIVYER.
WooIoowin, April 29
On the social scene C. D. was quite prominent in the Metropolitan Tennis Association and also team captain. His name appeared in the papers of the time at prominent social gatherings and dances. He first major position in employment that can be found on record is when he was appointed to the Maize Board on the Atherton Tablelands as an accountant in 1925. Before leaving Brisbane C. D. married Elizabeth Smith. In some of the local Brisbane papers the title of the report was "a society wedding".
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 2 May 1925, page 6
When we put the three words together we have a title that will mean something specifically to Brisbane, Queensland born Sivyer descendants. On a personal note the words John Sivyer Holden changed my life in the most amazing ways. Growing up with the surname Sivyer was never simple when it came to roll call, name pronunciation, and spelling of your name. These were always issues that I am sure many of you will assimilate. For me this changed when the three words "John Sivyer Holden" appeared in the public domain.
Brisbane as a capital city in Australia was never the largest in population and to highlight this my research tells me that in 1980 the Sivyer surname appeared in nine families in the Brisbane regional area. Looking at these nine families six of these were directly related to myself in being uncles, aunties or cousins.
In 1971 suddenly out of nowhere came the words John Sivyer Holden. Yes there was another Sivyer in Brisbane. Remember as an 18 year old in 1971 I had no access to electoral rolls or only knew that the Sivyer name was connected to my immediate family. Now we had a car dealership under the name John Sivyer Holden. I asked my father, who is John Sivyer Holden? At that time my father said that we were related but I do not remember the finer details but basically it went like this. Yes he is related and his father was connected to Eagers (major Holden dealership) but we have never met the family. Well that was enough knowledge for me but it was wonderful having your surname in lights, on car bumpers, advertisements and in the paper etc.. Yes I even saw my surname on television. Now there were people who could pronounce your surname.
There was the inevitable question "are you related to John Sivyer Holden?" My answer was yes distantly but we have never met even though we live in the same small city. Also my personal interests at the time were based around motor cars and motorsport and many people assumed I had a direct connection to John Sivyer Holden. John Sivyer Holden stayed in operation as a major car dealership through to the year 2006 when a major redistribution of General Motors Holden (GMH) sadly saw the John Sivyer dealership subsumed into a larger network of GMH car sales and service outlets.
In later years I came to understand my true relationship to John Sivyer Holden and nearly fifty years on I still get asked the question by long term local residents when I am introduced "Are you related to John Sivyer Holden?" Now I have a simple and truthful answer. Yes my great grandfather and John Sivyer's great grandfather was the same person. That person is Spencer Sivyer but we are descended from different great grandmothers. John Sivyer is descended from the first wife and I am descended from Spencer's second marriage.
Hopefully you are now getting a picture of Brisbane at the time which was really a large regional town in relation to Sydney and Melbourne. Of interest to us is that we had two of the direct descendant lines of Spencer Sivyer having never met and still to this day have not met. I do understand that my father Ron Sivyer did meet and did know the father of John Sivyer one Clifford D'Arcy (Barney) Sivyer.
Below is the direct line from Spencer to myself and Allan John (Jack) Sivyer or aka John Sivyer Holden.
Spencer Sivyer - Elizabeth Hogg Bathgate
- Albert Augustus George Sivyer b: 1864 d: 1950- Isabella Adam
- Clifford D'Arcy Sivyer (Barney) b:1898 d:1969 - Elizabeth Smith
- Allan John (Jack) Sivyer b:1928 d:2009
- Stanley Hume Sivyer b:1888 d:1969- Ellen Marie Ronlund
- Ronald Douglas Sivyer b:1926 d:2018 - Elizabeth Helen Lettman
- Neil Stanley Sivyer b:1953
Marriage. SIVYER—ADAM.—At the residence of Captain French, on the 14th instant, by the Rev. J. I. Knipe, Albert George, second son of Spencer Sivyer, of Devon Park, to Isabella, eldest daughter of R. Darcy Adam, of Barcaldine.
Those who know the story of Spencer Sivyer will know that there were definitely characteristics of entrepreneur, salesman, and businessman reflected in his adventurous life.
http://sivyer.com.au/spencer-sivyer/
These genetic characteristics definitely appeared in the forebears of Allan John Sivyer.
The following information is purely based on research from newspaper reports, official birth, deaths and marriage records and internet resources. I have never met any of Albert August George (A.G.) Sivyer's descendants or have been provided with any family information. Therefore to the best of my knowledge the following is correct.
ALBERT AUGUSTUS GEORGE SIVYER
Albert was born on 14 May 1864 at Picton, New South Wales the fourth child of and second son of Spencer Sivyer and Elizabeth Hogg Bathgate. From previous research it is believed Spencer and family moved to Maryborough, Queensland in 1864, Albert or A.G. as he was commonly known as had just been born. Therefore he grew up in the Maryborough and Bundaberg district. His mother died tragically from hepatitis in Bundaberg in 1880, Albert at 17 years of age would have been a young man out in the workforce. He is recorded as applying to be on the electoral roll for Maryborough in 1885. The address provided was Ellana Street which today still consists of some wonderful period homes from that time. We know that Spencer and Harriet (Coram) were not living in Maryborough at that time so Albert was a working man of self sufficient means. For the election of 1890 he is listed as living at Adelaide Street, Maryborough so one could assume that he was living in boarding houses which was common at that time. During 1890 A. G. Sivyer is listed as travelling by ship between Brisbane and Maryborough on more than one occasion. This piece of information forms one of the key parts of the life A.G. Sivyer in that he was an early travelling salesman.
In 1895 an advertisement was placed in the Maryborough Chronicle where A.G.Sivyer the Hon. Secretary was the contact. This advertisement was for the first Maryborough Liederfatel. This is where men sing in harmony. Now many reading this will note with interest the talents of A. G. Sivyer and the musical connection.
The first evidence of A. G's occupation or work placement is in reference to a cricket match between Stupart's Drapery and Finney, Isles and Co. in 1895. A. G. Sivyer was part of the drapery or clothing trade. For the rest of his working life he would be always associated with this trade. This would be very different to the colonial outdoor life of his father Spencer. By 1896 he was a manager in Stupart's Drapery Palace and had a gift for sales and promotion.
After many it appears successful years as a manager in the Palace Drapery and active in sporting, social, and community life in Maryborough he left for a position in Brisbane with Edwards and Lamb Drapers. In his parting speech he spoke about his connection with Stupart's Drapery for over 20 years. This provides the information to conclude that he entered the drapery trade as a young man in Maryborough.
Albert was only in Brisbane for a few years when in 1906 he returned to establish his own drapery store in Maryborough. A. G. was well known for his style of promotion. He had an ability to promote himself through short sharp and prolific advertisemants. An example would be "Buy from Sivyer he is the best". One of the more unusual and some may say eccentric is the following one.
'I was a stranger and ye (A.D. 30 took me in' (A.D. 1908) took me down —
it's one and the same thing. As it was in the beginning, even so it is now.
Shoddy-made Goods palmed on to the unsuspecting and trusting stranger, in
lieu of the geuuine Australian-made Articles that A. G. Sivyer is selling; and
so the same old squeal goes on. only men in 1908 use more adjective words when
they find out they have been taken down. Now, these Australian-made Goods — Shirts, Trousers, Hats, etc., that A. G. Sivyer is putting on the market are well worthy of your attention. There is nothing of a shoddv nature in Australias best, as supplied by A. G.
Sivyer, Kent Street.
Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947), Wednesday 19 December 1906, page 2
A. G. SIVYER.
Another new firm. Mr. Sivyer confines his attention to men's wear and adornment, and his neat little shop is replete with hats and ties in the latest Sydney styles, suits, umbrellas, shirts, travelling requisites. The window contains an attractive display of the goods within.
Once again he was active in the community involved with lawn bowls and patron of the Maryborough Swimming Association. In 1907 he was one of the vice presidents of Maryborough Rugby Union.
Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser (Qld. : 1860 - 1947), Monday 9 September 1907, page 2
Another move in business circles is on the tapis, so we are informed. Albert Sivyer. The Men's Mercer, of the Royal Buildings, is about to move into those central premises owned by William H. Williams, now occupied by John S Marshall, one of our leading tailors Albert G. Sivyer, in the meantime, is going to run a sale of his present stock, starting Saturday morning. Customers will have a chance now of seeing how the man, recently 'from the hot bed of competition, Brisbane,' can. put the knife into prices. We are informed that there is not going to be any 'side' stepping' in prices. Every article for cash will be offered at Bargain Prices at Sivyer's Great Camp-shifting Sale.
In 1909 a major fire occurred in the block of shops that A. G occupied.
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Tuesday 19 January 1909, page 4
A serious fire occurred in Kent street Maryborough, early yesterday morning. Five shops were destroyed. The buildings were owned by Mr. W. H. Williams, and the occupiers were A. G. Sivyer (mercer), T. Sheppard (bicycle depot), U. Hill (tailor), McWatters (fruiterer),
and Copps (confectioner).
Unfortunately it appears that his business suffered greatly from this fire and the following advertisement was placed in the paper in February 1909.
FINAL NOTICE. IN THE MATTER OF ALBERT G. SIVYER, LATE MERCER-. MARYBOROUGH.
Creditors and Debtors.
CREDITORS are requested to send in their ACCOUNTS to him, c/o W. Adam & Son..
DEBTORS.— FINAL NOTICE.— All Accounts owing to the said A. G. SIVYER, must lie settled forthwith, at the same address.
Albert and family moved once again to Brisbane. The electoral rolls have him and his family living in what is now the inner northern suburbs of Brisbane namely Wooloowin, Clayfield and Ascot. Some could say that these suburbs were always a more elite or contained wealthier income area of the city. A. G. was active within the lawn bowls community but it appears he had a long association with the Commercial Travellers Association of Queensland. His occupation was listed as traveller. He was a travelling salesman it can be assumed for some company or business within the clothing industry. My father spoke of "Uncle Albert" staying at the Sivyer farm at Tinbeerwah as he passed through that area. As to what time frame that was it would most likely be in the early 1930s when my father was a young boy.
Albert August George Sivyer died on 23rd November 1950 in Brisbane.
CLIFFORD D'ARCY SIVYER
Born February 15th 1898 in Maryborough he was the first born of three children to A. G Sivyer and Isabella Adams. The first record of C. D. Sivyer (he was known as C. D.) is in 1913 when he won the prize at the national show for the best essay, boys over 15 years. He was attending the prestigious Brisbane Boys Grammar School. This school today is still Queensland's most highly ranked and regarded boy's school.
His first work appointment was as a clerk 5th class in the Commonwealth Public Service in 1915. He was on 6 months probation. On the 30th. June 1915 he resigned as a clerk from the public service accounts branch. In 1916 C. D. was attending the Central Technical School (Brisbane) where he was studying bookkeeping stage 1. This was to be the start of his life long journey through accounting and then into various businesses and then business management. In June of 1918 he successfully passed the examination of the Institute of Accounts Queensland division.
Continuing on the characteristics of his forebears C. D. Sivyer wrote to the editor of the Daily Mail in 1919. At this time he was a young man of 21 but definitely fearless in expressing his opinion. Now whilst I have not reproduced the full letter as it is quite extensive it does portray the courage of young C. D. in expressing his opinion. The timing of this letter is even more extraordinary as Australia was still recovering from the great war which had only just finished the following year.
Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1903 - 1926), Tuesday 6 May 1919, page 9
"TIN SOLDIER" ABSURDITIES.
To the Editor
Sir,— In yesterday's papers, there appeared an announcement, in the grand phraseology of the military, concerning the 2nd Battalion of the 9th Infantry (Moreton Regiment).
The information conveyed is to the effect that Citizen Force trainees who are attached to that battalion will drill on certain days during May! Merely put an announcement in the papers and hundreds of young men must leave their work, leave, their pay, and leave anything else they may be interested in, to rush off to the various places it pleases the military authorities to mention, and spend six hours per day, turning and wheeling about in a paddock. They don't even pay us the simple courtesy of a personal memo to attend parade, or at least they haven't done so for, and the first parade is only four days off. I wonder does it ever occur to the authorities that although we young fellows are military trainees, we are also ordinary citizens, with ordinary citizen duties, engagements, and responsibilities. ..................
I write this in the nature of a protest. I must go to drill with the rest, and must submit to being howled at and sworn at "by my superiors": with as good a grace as possible. That part doesn't matter. But I really do think that to put a notice such as I have mentioned in the papers, and that notice to be indisputable by employers and employees shouldn't be disregarded, is just a little beyond the limit for an allegedly democratic Australia. I do sincerely hope that employers will take some steps towards preventing this utter disregard for their rights and convenience Yours, etc., C. D. SIVYER.
WooIoowin, April 29
On the social scene C. D. was quite prominent in the Metropolitan Tennis Association and also team captain. His name appeared in the papers of the time at prominent social gatherings and dances. He first major position in employment that can be found on record is when he was appointed to the Maize Board on the Atherton Tablelands as an accountant in 1925. Before leaving Brisbane C. D. married Elizabeth Smith. In some of the local Brisbane papers the title of the report was "a society wedding".
Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), Saturday 2 May 1925, page 6
SIVYER—SMITH.—On 23rd April, 1925, at
St. Colomb's Church of England, Clayfield Clifford D'Arcy, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Sivyer, "Reyviston," Old Sandgate road, Eagle Junction, to Elizabeth Amy Dorothea, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Smith, "Woodlands," Marburg.
C. D. completed further study to join the Institute of Secretariat. From my reading of his responsibilities a company secretary at his time in history was equivalent to the present Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer. They were responsible for the daily management and operation of a company. By July of 1926 C. D. was on the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and he and Elizabeth were often reported in the social activities of the town. By September 1926, he was appointed managing secretary of the Atherton Co-operative Butter Association.
On April 21, 1928 an advertisement appeared for the sale of unique house hold furniture by C. D. Sivyer of the National Motor Company, Cairns. C. D. had moved into the motor or automobile industry. The selling of his household goods was due to the fact that he and Elizabeth and now with a young child back to Brisbane. C. D. was moving into the selling of motor vehicles with his own business. The following advertisement did not appear until 1931 and research provides no information as to his business activities between leaving Cairns and this announcement.
Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), Wednesday 4 March 1931, page 31
Used Cars
New Firm in Operation South Brisbane Venture
One of the primary essentials of goodwill is the likelihood of old customers returning to the old address. Messrs. Reid and Sivyer state that they had this in mind when they took over for use as a used car salesroom, the premises in Watson Ferguson's buildings, Stanley Street, South Brisbane, which had been occupied for a similar purpose by Messrs. Ward Motors Ltd.
As Mr. Harry Reid. one of the partners in the new venture occupied the position of used car manager- to the company referred to, with headquarters in the premises which he now occupies, he should be.in a position to know the requirements of used car buyers.
Also Mr. Reid is well known in the motor trade in Brisbane, particularly In the used car section, and in automobile valuation his opinion, commands respect from those qualified to judge.
Mr. C. D. Sivyer who is associated with Mr. Reid in the new firm, was or some time secretary to Messrs. Ward Motors Ltd.. and his knowledge of the trade gained in this position should be of value to the business.
A fine range of cars is being handled by Messrs Reid and Sivyer. Their display embraces cars ranging from the handy and economical machines in the light car class right through the various power and price classes to the more exclusive vehicles. It is claimed that there is a compiete absence of anything which could be called, "junk," and Messrs. Reid and Sivyer insist that they will not at any time offer any machines which they are unable to recommend as safe investments. .........."
The partnership of Reid and Sivyer continued until in May of 1935 when C. D. Sivyer made a strategic move to become the sales manager for Harris Autos. They were situated on the corner of Wickham Street and Ballow Street in Fortitude Valley Brisbane. He also joined the directorate of the company.
USED CAR Department
With more space at our disposal we have opened a Used Car Showroom and are
now equipped to look after your requirements in the buying and selling of new and
used cars. This new- department will be handled by Mr. C. D. Sivyer (who has
joined the Directorate of the Company) and is already well and favourably known in car-
selling circles. Mr. Sivyer now has the support of our modern workshop to attend to the
reconditioning and servicing of all cars sold through his department."
C.D. Sivyer remained in the automotive trade and in 1954 he was sales manager for Eagers Used Cars. Eagers Pty. Ltd. were at the time one of Queensland's largest automotive dealers and General Motors Holden dealer. Here is the association of the Sivyer name and Holden cars. As to when C. D. joined Eagers I have been unable to ascertain. A book on the centenary of Eagers did no provide any information. He was though an authorative figure within the automotive trade an d he was quoted on the automobile scene post WW2.
Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), Saturday 20 November 1954, page 20
Market change in used cars
Although new cars were still hard to get, the second-hand car business was becoming a buyers market, car dealers said today.
They were commenting on a statement by a Queensland delegate, Mr. H. R. Bell, at the Austin dealers convention in (Sydney this week that a buyers market was coming in the motor industry. Mr. Bell, U.K- Dominion Motors general manager, said there would soon be more vehicles than buyers for the first time in 15 years. Mr. C. D. Sivyer, manager of Eagers Used Cars Pty. Ltd., said there was a distinct contrast between new and used cars in the market. New cars were hard to get a Holden still required a waiting period of about 12 months. "Most cars are booked well ahead, but the demand for commercial vehicles is not so great," he said. "Utilities are fairly easy to get, but there is a fairly long wait for all General Motors vehicles. "There is a downward trend in used cars, apart from some of the small and medium ones. Anything big or pre-war is becoming hard to sell. More selective -"There are more cars coming on the market every year and that must bring the prices down."
Earlier on his life C.D. Sivyer was a member of the Citizen's Military and he continued that commitment during the second world war. He was a Major in the Australian Army Ordinance Corp attached to Northern Command. He enlisted on the 26th. October 1940. He would have been 42 years of age at enlistment and from my research I believe that people with the business background of C. D. were promoted into non combat management rolls in supporting the front line. He died in Brisbane in 1969. What of note is that he gave his occupation as accountant on the electoral rolls right up until the last record for him in 1968. In 1954 as sales manager at Eagers cars he recorded his occupation as accountant not "car salesman".
Allan John Sivyer (Jack) b: 25-10-1927 d: 14-1-2009
Not a lot is known about Allan John the person. Queensland newspaper records are only publicly available online until 1954. What can be provided is some information into his early life. Born in Brisbane in 1927 during the depression years he was a young man as the second world war ended. He was not old enough to enlist. His father C.D. Sivyer died in 1969.
The only references in the newspaper to Jack Sivyer were in the social pages and his wedding. He married Wanda Pro-Copis on Tuesday, April 1915 in St. Agatha's Church, Hamilton, Brisbane. Wanda died on the 16th, April, 2018.
John Sivyer Holden was for 35 years an established part of what Brisbane people know as the "Moorooka Magic Mile". Many towns or cities have similar in that a road has a continuous row of car yards both used and knew. On the south side of Brisbane it was and still is "The Moorooka Magic Mile".
In concluding this post one can see how the John Sivyer Holden dealership or car yard was not just a business entity that started in 1971 but one could argue was a result of A. G. Sivyer becoming a young salesman in the drapery business in Maryborough.
St. Colomb's Church of England, Clayfield Clifford D'Arcy, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. A. G. Sivyer, "Reyviston," Old Sandgate road, Eagle Junction, to Elizabeth Amy Dorothea, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Smith, "Woodlands," Marburg.
C. D. completed further study to join the Institute of Secretariat. From my reading of his responsibilities a company secretary at his time in history was equivalent to the present Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer. They were responsible for the daily management and operation of a company. By July of 1926 C. D. was on the Cairns Chamber of Commerce and he and Elizabeth were often reported in the social activities of the town. By September 1926, he was appointed managing secretary of the Atherton Co-operative Butter Association.
On April 21, 1928 an advertisement appeared for the sale of unique house hold furniture by C. D. Sivyer of the National Motor Company, Cairns. C. D. had moved into the motor or automobile industry. The selling of his household goods was due to the fact that he and Elizabeth and now with a young child back to Brisbane. C. D. was moving into the selling of motor vehicles with his own business. The following advertisement did not appear until 1931 and research provides no information as to his business activities between leaving Cairns and this announcement.
Used Cars
New Firm in Operation South Brisbane Venture
One of the primary essentials of goodwill is the likelihood of old customers returning to the old address. Messrs. Reid and Sivyer state that they had this in mind when they took over for use as a used car salesroom, the premises in Watson Ferguson's buildings, Stanley Street, South Brisbane, which had been occupied for a similar purpose by Messrs. Ward Motors Ltd.
As Mr. Harry Reid. one of the partners in the new venture occupied the position of used car manager- to the company referred to, with headquarters in the premises which he now occupies, he should be.in a position to know the requirements of used car buyers.
Also Mr. Reid is well known in the motor trade in Brisbane, particularly In the used car section, and in automobile valuation his opinion, commands respect from those qualified to judge.
Mr. C. D. Sivyer who is associated with Mr. Reid in the new firm, was or some time secretary to Messrs. Ward Motors Ltd.. and his knowledge of the trade gained in this position should be of value to the business.
A fine range of cars is being handled by Messrs Reid and Sivyer. Their display embraces cars ranging from the handy and economical machines in the light car class right through the various power and price classes to the more exclusive vehicles. It is claimed that there is a compiete absence of anything which could be called, "junk," and Messrs. Reid and Sivyer insist that they will not at any time offer any machines which they are unable to recommend as safe investments. .........."
The partnership of Reid and Sivyer continued until in May of 1935 when C. D. Sivyer made a strategic move to become the sales manager for Harris Autos. They were situated on the corner of Wickham Street and Ballow Street in Fortitude Valley Brisbane. He also joined the directorate of the company.
USED CAR Department
With more space at our disposal we have opened a Used Car Showroom and are
now equipped to look after your requirements in the buying and selling of new and
used cars. This new- department will be handled by Mr. C. D. Sivyer (who has
joined the Directorate of the Company) and is already well and favourably known in car-
selling circles. Mr. Sivyer now has the support of our modern workshop to attend to the
reconditioning and servicing of all cars sold through his department."
C.D. Sivyer remained in the automotive trade and in 1954 he was sales manager for Eagers Used Cars. Eagers Pty. Ltd. were at the time one of Queensland's largest automotive dealers and General Motors Holden dealer. Here is the association of the Sivyer name and Holden cars. As to when C. D. joined Eagers I have been unable to ascertain. A book on the centenary of Eagers did no provide any information. He was though an authorative figure within the automotive trade an d he was quoted on the automobile scene post WW2.
Brisbane Telegraph (Qld. : 1948 - 1954), Saturday 20 November 1954, page 20
Market change in used cars
Although new cars were still hard to get, the second-hand car business was becoming a buyers market, car dealers said today.
They were commenting on a statement by a Queensland delegate, Mr. H. R. Bell, at the Austin dealers convention in (Sydney this week that a buyers market was coming in the motor industry. Mr. Bell, U.K- Dominion Motors general manager, said there would soon be more vehicles than buyers for the first time in 15 years. Mr. C. D. Sivyer, manager of Eagers Used Cars Pty. Ltd., said there was a distinct contrast between new and used cars in the market. New cars were hard to get a Holden still required a waiting period of about 12 months. "Most cars are booked well ahead, but the demand for commercial vehicles is not so great," he said. "Utilities are fairly easy to get, but there is a fairly long wait for all General Motors vehicles. "There is a downward trend in used cars, apart from some of the small and medium ones. Anything big or pre-war is becoming hard to sell. More selective -"There are more cars coming on the market every year and that must bring the prices down."
Earlier on his life C.D. Sivyer was a member of the Citizen's Military and he continued that commitment during the second world war. He was a Major in the Australian Army Ordinance Corp attached to Northern Command. He enlisted on the 26th. October 1940. He would have been 42 years of age at enlistment and from my research I believe that people with the business background of C. D. were promoted into non combat management rolls in supporting the front line. He died in Brisbane in 1969. What of note is that he gave his occupation as accountant on the electoral rolls right up until the last record for him in 1968. In 1954 as sales manager at Eagers cars he recorded his occupation as accountant not "car salesman".
Allan John Sivyer (Jack) b: 25-10-1927 d: 14-1-2009
Not a lot is known about Allan John the person. Queensland newspaper records are only publicly available online until 1954. What can be provided is some information into his early life. Born in Brisbane in 1927 during the depression years he was a young man as the second world war ended. He was not old enough to enlist. His father C.D. Sivyer died in 1969.
Allan Jack Sivyer has listed "sales" as his occupation on the electoral roll of 1954. One would assume that given the family background and his future life that he was in the car sales industry. One could assume that he worked in the automotive industry possibly with Eagers who his father was associated with. The only other piece of information is when in 1972 his occupation changed to manager from sales. This coincided with the establishment of John Sivyer Holden in 1971.
The only references in the newspaper to Jack Sivyer were in the social pages and his wedding. He married Wanda Pro-Copis on Tuesday, April 1915 in St. Agatha's Church, Hamilton, Brisbane. Wanda died on the 16th, April, 2018.
In concluding this post one can see how the John Sivyer Holden dealership or car yard was not just a business entity that started in 1971 but one could argue was a result of A. G. Sivyer becoming a young salesman in the drapery business in Maryborough.
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