William Irwin Gear

Gear Family Grave
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

 James Irwin Gear, who came from Beckenham, Kent, was a Collector of Taxes around Swansea.  His occupation was recorded in the headstone inscription when he died in 1897. James was buried at Danygraig Cemetery.  His son, William Irwin, would have been 15 years old.

William Irwin was born in 1882.

The 1891 Census records the Gear family living at 70 Upper Aberthyberthy Street.

1891 Census

James Irwin is 34, and his wife, Elizabeth nee. James is 32 years old.  They were married in 1881.  Their children were

William Irwin, 9; Emily, 8; L. Harry, 6; Annie, 5, who all attend school. The younger children were Elizabeth G., 3, and 9-month-old Martha M.

On Boxing Day, 1900, William married Ethel Maud Hill at St. Gabriel's church.  20-year-old William’s occupation as recorded on the certificate was Inland Revenue Clerk.

William Irwin Gear and Ethel Maud Hill
marriage certificate
St. Gabriel's church

William and Ethel were living at the time of the 1901 Census at 55 Sea View Terrace, the home of Ethel’s mother.

1901 Census

Sarah Hill, 40, was widowed.  Her children were present at the time of the census.

Brinley, 17, a Turf Commission Agent; Florence, 15.

William, 20, who was employed as a Revenue Clerk, and Ethel, who was also 20 years old.

Also present was visitor John Campbell, 24, who was also a Turf Commission Agent.

William and Ethel moved at the time of the 1911 Census to 59 Sea View Terrace.

1911 Census

William, 29, is a Commission Agents Clerk, and Ethel, 28 years old. 

Herald of Wales

In June 1913, the Herald of Wales reported that William was charged with being very drunk and disorderly in Oxford Street.  After being found guilty, William was either fined 20s or sent to prison for 14 days. 

In July 1915, William enlisted and served with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. In December that year, he joined the Drake Battalion.  In November 1917, William was invalided due to ill health.  William was ranked Petty Officer

South Wales Daily Post

On 18^th February 1919, William was buried at Danygraig Cemetery.  His funeral was reported in the South Wales Daily Post.