McAllister of Ireland
Gordon Henry McAllister, the seventh and youngest child of Joseph McAllister and Ethel Margaret Mason, was born on 26 July 1915 at 68 Chief Street, Brompton, South Australia.
With seven children in the family and just two bedrooms inside the house at that time, Gordon had to share a bedroom in the cellar with his older brothers Joseph and Harold. To enter the cellar the boys would either descend the staircase from the sitting room or climb down a wooden ladder through the trapdoor on the front verandah. With the thick stone and pug walls and a red brick floor, the cellar was certainly a nice cool place to be on hot summer nights. Like his older siblings, Gordon also attended Brompton Primary School and afterwards went on to study at Croydon Central Secondary School. |
When he left school, Gordon went to work at G.S Michell & Sons in Adam Street, Hindmarsh where he remained for many years. G.S Michell & Sons were wool brokers and processors and their factory at Hindmarsh processed the greasy wool, this was known as wool scouring. Eventually Gordon moved on and began working for Pullman’s Knitting Mills.
As a teenager Gordon played soccer and tennis. He was a very good soccer player and was even selected to play for a State team. Unfortunately he wasn't able to participate in the interstate matches because of the costs involved. He was considered by some people the best “outside left” player in the competition at the time. |
Gordon was also considered a very good tennis player as well. He played First Gentleman (Men’s singles) for Hindmarsh Church of Christ Tennis Club. He went on to play highly competitive mixed teams with his then girlfriend and later wife, Robina Dodson. They were known as a formidable pair. Robina recalled that they would ride their pushbikes to all the games on a Saturday afternoon.
Gordon met Robina (Beanie) Joyce Dodson ) in 1933 at a friend’s birthday party, he asked to walk her home and they became sweethearts. Robina was only 16 when they met, Gordon was 18. Gordon approached Robina’s father, Alfred Dodson, to ask if he could be her beau, he must have approved; Gordon and Robina were sweethearts for seven years before they married.
When Gordon met Robina, his four sisters and his eldest brother had already married and left home. There was just Harold and Gordon left at home. Gordon would invite Robina to Sunday night tea at his parent’s home and Harold would bring his sweetheart, Bonnie Harris. Robina and Bonnie would join in the musical evenings around the piano after tea. |
The two young girls would lean on the piano and sing as Gordon accompanied them on the piano or on his ukulele. Gordon loved joining in with the family musical nights; he developed a lifelong love of music during this time.
Robina, the daughter of Alfred George Dodson and Isabell May Northey, lived at 14 Bond Street, West Hindmarsh. Gordon had a long walk home to Chief Street after any outing. After a long courtship, Gordon and Robina were married at Hindmarsh Church of Christ on 12 April 1941. They made their first home at 216 Torrens Rd, Croydon. Just over three years after they were married, on 13 August 1944, Geoffrey Gordon McAllister was born. When Geoffrey was five years old he started school at Brompton Primary, however, he completed his primary education at Allenby Gardens Primary School. |
During the war years, Gordon worked at the South Australia Railways at Islington but after the war he was employed by building firm Marshall’s, where he worked for many years. He would wave to his sister Ethel’s children as the Marshall’s employee’s bus went past 68 Chief Street, Brompton. When Gordon left Marshall’s in about 1958, he then worked for John Mehaffey’s sports store.
In about 1953 Gordon and Robina purchased a block of land at 40 Frederick St, Welland where they built a new home. This remained their family home for the next 40 years. They both loved pottering in the garden, but Gordon especially enjoyed growing orchids.
In about 1953 Gordon and Robina purchased a block of land at 40 Frederick St, Welland where they built a new home. This remained their family home for the next 40 years. They both loved pottering in the garden, but Gordon especially enjoyed growing orchids.
Gordon and Robina both loved music, they had a piano at home and Gordon learnt to play by ear. He knew countless songs which he played over and over. Undoubtedly this is where their son Geoffrey developed his love of music as well. The family followed the Eagles football club in the local competition and Gordon would regularly play the piano at the club rooms at the Thebarton Oval, much to everyone’s enjoyment.
Gordon was also a brilliant artist and could sketch anything he put his hand to. He was especially good at drawing caricatures. Another hobby that Gordon enjoyed was flying model planes.
Gordon and Robina had a wonderful life together. When Robina got her driver’s licence in around 1967, they purchased a little red Hillman Minx. Robina drove far and wide in the little car for many years until eventually they traded it in for a Ford Cortina. Robina continued to drive this car up until she left their home in Frederick Street. Gordon died suddenly at home on 9 November 1996. He was 81 years old. Robina moved to Perry Park Nursing Home in about 2008 and at 95 years old still had wonderful memories of her beloved Gordon. Sadly Robina passed away in hospital on 25 February 2013, aged 95 years. |
Descendants of Gordon Henry McAllister
Gordon Henry McAllister was born on 26 July 1915 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 9 November 1996 in Welland, South Australia at age 81 years. Gordon married Robina Joyce Dodson on 12 April 1941 in Hindmarsh, South Australia. Robina was born on 28 September in West Hindmarsh, South Australia and died on 25 February 2013 in Bedford Park, South Australia at age 95 years. They had one child: Geoffrey Gordon.
- Geoffrey Gordon McAllister was born on 13 August 1944 in North Adelaide, South Australia and died on 28 February 2008 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 63 years. Geoffrey married Elizabeth Delmar (Beth) Morgan on 26 March 1966 in Plympton, South Australia. Beth was born on 1 February 1944 in Parkside, South Australia. They had three children: Jasmin Elise, Melody Bena and Emma Norelle.