John Thomas Switzer^{[1, 2]}

1857 - 1913  (56 years)

• Name	John Thomas Switzer
  Born	26 Jan 1857	Cahirconlish, Limerick, Ireland
  Gender	Male
  Military	1872	Royal Navy
  	Thomas John Switzer Joined the Royal Navy Feb 1872
  Military Service	1881	Royal Navy
  	John Thomas was serving on the HMS Achilles at the time of his emigration in 1882 and was bought out of the navy.
  Emigrated to Australia	1882	From Ireland
  	John, his mother and his sister Rosa came to Australia in 1882 on the Manora. John Thomas was serving on the ?HMS Achilles? at the time and was bought out of the navy. They were nominated by Samuel Switzer who had arrived in Queensland in 1879 on the Selkirkshire. [S79] Information kindly supplied by (Myra) myra@keayfamily.com
  Emigration	1882	From Ireland to Queensland, Australia
  	John, his mother and his sister Rosa. came to Australia in 1882 on the Manora. John Thomas was serving on the ?HMS Achilles? at the time and was bought out of the navy. They were nominated by Samuel Switzer who had arrived in Queensland in 1879 on the Selkirkshire. [S79] Information kindly supplied by (Myra) myra@keayfamily.com
  Queensland Electoral Roll	1905 & 1908	Pilot Steamer " Llewellyn"
  	QUEENSLAND ELECTORAL ROLL 1905 Division of Oxely - Polling Place Bulwer (Moreton Island) No 46: SWITZER John Thomas: Pilot Steamer " Llewellyn" Occupation: mariner QUEENSLAND ELECTORAL ROLL 1908 Division of Moreton - Subdivision of The Islands No 1708: SWITZER John Thomas: Pilot Steamer "Llewellyn" Occupatione: mariner
  Queensland Electoral Roll	1913	Upper Cairns Terrace, Brisbane
  	QUEENSLAND ELECTORAL ROLL 1913 Division of Brisbane - Subdivision of Toowoong No 9534: SWITZER Florence Elizabeth: Place of Living: Upper Cairns terrace, Occupation: home duties No 9535: SWITZER John Thomas: Place of Living: Upper Cairns terrace, Occupation: pilot
  Died	21 Mar 1913	Mater Misercordiae Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  	Death Notice, Brisbane Courier, Saturday 5 April, 1913, page 4 SWITZER: At the Mater Miseracordia Private Hospital, on Good Friday, John Thomas Switzer ,late pilot, Brisbane, beloved husband of Florence E M Switzer. Maryborough Chronicle Deaths 27 March 1913 Switzer, John Thomas. 21 Mar at Mater Misercordiae Hospital, Brisbane, late pilot of Brisbane, eldest son of late T. Switzer of Berehaven, Co. Cork, Ireland, brother of Mrs James McWatters, Mboro and G Switzer and S. Switzer New Zealand 56 years. Death Notice, Brisbane Courier, Saturday 5 April, 1913, page 4 SWITZER: At the Mater Miseracordia Private Hospital, on Good Friday, John Thomas Switzer ,late pilot, Brisbane, beloved husband of Florence E M Switzer. Maryborough Chronicle Deaths 27 March 1913 Switzer, John Thomas. 21 Mar at Mater Misercordiae Hospital, Brisbane, late pilot of Brisbane, eldest son of late T. Switzer of Berehaven, Co. Cork, Ireland, brother of Mrs James McWatters, Mboro and G Switzer and S. Switzer New Zealand 56 years. Death certificate: #17355 21 March 1913 Mater Misericordiae Hospital John Thomas Switzer, Pilot, Male 62 years. Cause: Heart failure, Nephritis, Syncope, 4 days. Medical attendant: Frederick Page. Last seen 21 March Parents: Tobias Switzer, Steward; Charlotte Elizabeth Watson Informant: Godfrey George Switzer, son, Buderim Mountain, N.C. Line. Buried: 22 March 1913, South Brisbane Cemetery; W. Cannon. H.T. Molesworth, Church of England. W. Gnatz, W.J. Webber. Born Limerick, Ireland. 20 years in Queensland. Married in Maryborough, Queensland at 40 years to Florence Elizabeth Bowless. Living issue: Godfrey George 20, Grace Elizabeth Milner 18 [S79] Information kindly supplied by (Myra) myra@keayfamily.com Death Registration SWITZER John Thomas: Death: 1913: Father: Tobias SWITZER: Mother: Elizabeth WATSON. Reg No 1913/17355 (Queensland death Register)
  Funeral Notice	22 Mar 1913	Brisbane Courier Mail
  	Funeral Notice, Brisbane Courier, Saturday 22 March 1913, page 4 FUNERAL NOTICE - The Friends of Mr. JOHN THOMAS SWITZER, deceased, late Pilot,, of Brisbane, are respectfully invited to attend his Funeral to move from the Funeral Parlour of Cannon & Cripps, Grenier-street, Valley, THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON, at 2 o'clock, to the South Brisbane Cemetery. CANNON & CRIPPS, Undertakers [S79] Information kindly supplied by (Myra) myra@keayfamily.com
  Buried	22 Mar 1913	South Brisbane Cemetery Street Address: 181 Annerley Rd, Dutton Park, Brisbane
  	Brisbane City Council Online Services Grave Location Search Name Burial or Ashes Interred Date Age Switzer John Thomas 22 / 03 / 1913 56 years Cemetery: South Brisbane Cemetery: Street Address: 181 Annerley Rd, Dutton Park: UBD Ref: Map 179 P4: Portion 8 Grave Number 167 Inscription List for South Brisbane General Part A Cemetery Family Name Given Names Birth Date Death Date Age Remarks Portion Row Switzer John Thomas 22 Mar 1913 56y son/Tobias & Charlotte Elizabeth (Watson); 8
  Obituary	12 Apr 1913	The Brisbane Courier, Queensland
  	THE LATE CAPTAIN JOHN T. SWITZER (See illustration ) By the recent passing of Captain John Switzer "across the bar" to his anchorage in the inner harbour, where we all arriive in due time, the State of Queensland has lost one of its most useful public servants. Possessing, as he did, special qualifications for the work, Captain Switzer, up to exactly a fortnight before his death, was doing duty as a Moreton Bay pilot- the last ship he brought in from the Cape being the German Steamer Greiswald. Prior to his transfer to the actual work of piloting, and for many years, he had command of the Llewellyn - the little steamer that by day and by night, in calm and in storm, is, notwithstanding some defects, always on the alert, ready with her complement of men to fulfil the somewhat arduous task of navigating oversea ships-of any tonnage that can enter the port-between Cape Moreton and Brisbane. Born on the shores of Bantry Bay, close on 60 years ago, "Jack" Switzer, at an early age, took to the sea for a living, proving in good time his fitness for the profession by developing into what we have known him to be, a true British seaman, and of the old school. John entered the service of his country, by joining the crew of H.M.S. Achilles,- having with him as shipmate another Queenslander to be, namely, Mr. Charles Worrell, now a resident of Bundaberg. Mr. Worrell was rated as an ordinary seaman on the Achilles when Switzer was one of the ship's boys. Incidentally it may be mentioned that only the day after Captain Switzer's burial Mr. Worrell, unaware of even his friend's illness, arrived in Brisbane with the ïntention of visiting "for old sake's sake" the one-time ship- mate whom he had not seen for about 20 years. Besides having been for a number of years in one branch or another of the pilot service Captain Switzer was for some time one of the lightship's company on the Proudfoot Shoal, up Thursday Island, way. Though during his time in the Royal Navy Switzer took part in some active service and possessed the medal given to those who had .passed through the Burmese war, and he was probably present at the taking of Rangoon. Being ot a reticent nature, however, John was not given to saying much concerning his own exploits. And we are none of us sure whether he himself was the hero of one tale which he used to relate with great gusto. This story seems worth repeating, if only to show the resourcefulness ot the British bluejacket. A certain ship of the "Queen's Navee" was lying in Malta Harbour with a number of her crew on shore leave, and, of course, for only a specified time. One chap falling to join his ship "as per orders given," word was sent to the shore authorities to find him, put him under arrest, and bring him on board for punishment. Jack Tar was duly sighted .doing "cavalry manoeuvres" on a Maltese donkey. On discovering that he was wanted by the police, and knowing full well the reason why, he promptly decided on '"facing the music" as speedily as possible, and without any escort.Fortunately for him, his-steed, enjoying the fun perhaps, soon put some distance between our hero and the pursuing force. The good little animal besides being fleet, was surefooted, and docile, and he answered the helm beautifully -a quadruple propeller craft with the tiller ropes coming from the bows. His navigator was quite familiar with the lay of the lnnd, and down the steps of the Strada Beale they sailed merrily, making straight for the mole. Arriving there safely, a little encouragement sufficed to make the donkey take to the water, and though hardly in "due time" the plucky pair reached their objective without mishap. The truant seaman, first putting his novel cannola on the right course for the shore, then proceeded to report himself as having "come on board, sir." Leave breaking must, of course, be punished, but in this instance, such was tho entertainment afforded to all spectators of the amusing feat of the culprit, his punishment was not too severe, and, indeed, the Admiral in port afterwards expressed his unofficial approval of the sailor's performance, in asmuch as it had given an unmistakable, if laughable, proof of the "handy man's" preparedness to be "all there" in an emergency. But to sum up, Captain John Switzer was a straight, good living man, albeit, perhaps, one of Henry Drummond's "swearing saints." Some of us who knew him desire to offer this tribute to his memory.- M'Andrew, jun. (Transcribed from the The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864-1933), Saturday 12 April 1913)
  Notes	1889, John Switzer, pilot, Ferry Street, Maryborough (P.O. Directory) 1892-93, 94-95, 96-7 Ferry Street, Maryborough. (P.O. Directory, Wises) 1887 Coxswain of the pilot schooner at Maryborough, to be boatman pilot for the Port of Maryborough (Government Gazette) 1898 (1 March) First Government appointment. Certificate # 264: Certificate of Competency as Master of a Coaster, Issued by the Marine Board of Queensland, 16 Feb 1900, His Address: William Street, South Brisbane 1903 John Thomas Switzer, male, mariner, Pilot Steamer "Cormorant", Bulwer (Moreton Island) (Commonwealth Electoral Roll, Subdivision Oxley #49) 1905 (Appointed 12 Jan) Mate of "Llewellyn" and boatmate? pilot for Port of Brisbane 1907 (16 Oct) Master of Llewellyn and assistant pilot for the port of Brisbane consequent on the resignation of Mr. J.S. Webster. 1909-10-11 Sussex Street, Highgate Hill, Brisbane. 1913 Govt Gazette.Vol C, page 455. John Thomas Switzer appointed Pilot, Brisbane [S79] Information kindly supplied by (Myra) myra@keayfamily.com
  Person ID	I5635	Hickey, List, Bundesen, Thomsen, Jensen, Jessen
  Last Modified	22 Aug 2010

  
  

  Father	Tobias Switzer,   b. circa 1821, Co. Limerick, Ireland ,   d. 16 Dec 1873, Co. Limerick, Ireland  (Age ~ 52 years)
  Mother	Charlotte Elizabeth Watson,   b. 10 Jun 1824, Woolwich, Kent, England ,   d. 09 Aug 1890, Maryborough, Queensland, Australia  (Age 66 years)
  Married	11 Jan 1853	Kilquane, St Patricks Parish, Limerick, Ireland
  Family ID	F1831	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family	Florence Elizabeth Bowless,   b. 1872 -1874, Fishponds, Gloucestershire, England ,   d. 1942, Manly, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia  (Age 68 years)
  Married	18 Apr 1891	Maryborough, Queensland, Australia
  	Maryborough Chronicle: Switzer - Bowless 18 April 1891 St Pauls Maryborough by Rev Eva, John Thomas eldest son of late Mr Tobias Switzer of Limerick, Ireland to Florence Elizabeth, eld dau of Mr George Bowless of Birmingham, England Marriage Certificate: #1492 3210 18 April 1891 Maryborough, Qld. John Thomas Switzer and Florence Elizabeth Bowless, bachelor and spinster John born Limerick, Co. Limerick, Ireland Florence born Fishponds, Gloucestershire, England. John Seaman aged 34, Florence aged 21 Both usual place of residence Maryborough. Parents: Tobias Switzer, steward and Charlotte Elizabeth Watson George Bowless, schoolmaster and Catherine Milnor Pinnock [S79] Information kindly supplied by (Myra) myra@keayfamily.com . Married in St. Pauls Church, Maryborough according to the rites of the Church of England (R.R. Eva officiating minister). Witnesses John Richard Cross and Edith Mary Hirst.
  Children	1. Godfrey George Switzer,   b. 1892, Queensland, Australia ,   d. 01 Oct 1917, Belguim  (Age 25 years)   2. Grace Elizabeth Milner Switzer,   b. 4 Apr 1894, Queensland, Australia ,   d. 20 Jun 1940, Balmain District, Sydney, Australia  (Age 46 years)
  Last Modified	22 Aug 2010
  Family ID	F1833	Group Sheet

  
  

• Sources

  [S66] Mrs Laurina Collins. [S79] Information kindly supplied by (Myra) myra@keayfamily.com .