Gertrude Cosgrove
Encyclopedia
Dame Gertrude Ann Geappen Cosgrove, DBE (1882-1962) was the wife of Sir Robert Cosgrove
(1884-1969), twice elected as Premier
of Tasmania
. They married on 10 January 1911 at St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Hobart, Tasmania and had four children.
Gertrude Cosgrove was a staunch companion to her husband in his political career; their elder son, Robert, was killed in 1940 while serving with the Royal Air Force. Gertrude Cosgrove was treasurer of the West Hobart women's branch of the Australian Labor Party
and active in the Australian Comforts Fund, the Country Women's Association
, the Australian Red Cross
and the Victoria League.
From 1916 she worked devotedly for the Elizabeth Street State School, Hobart. Her leisure activities included gardening and crochet. She was created a Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
on 1 January 1947 and invested at Buckingham Palace
by King George VI in 1949.
She died in 1962, survived by her husband and three children.
Robert Cosgrove
Sir Robert Cosgrove KCMG was an Australian politician, trade unionist, and twice Premier of Tasmania from 18 December 1939 to 18 December 1947 and 25 February 1948 to 26 August 1958....
(1884-1969), twice elected as Premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
of Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. They married on 10 January 1911 at St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral, Hobart, Tasmania and had four children.
Gertrude Cosgrove was a staunch companion to her husband in his political career; their elder son, Robert, was killed in 1940 while serving with the Royal Air Force. Gertrude Cosgrove was treasurer of the West Hobart women's branch of the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
and active in the Australian Comforts Fund, the Country Women's Association
Country Women's Association
The Country Women’s Association of Australia is the largest women's organisation in Australia. It has 44,000 members across 1855 branches. Its aims are to improve the conditions for country women and children and to try to make life better for women and their families, especially those women...
, the Australian Red Cross
Australian Red Cross
The Australian Red Cross is one of the many national Red Cross societies around the world. The Australian organisation was established in 1914, nine days after the commencement of World War I, by Karen Tenenbaum, when she formed a branch of the British Red Cross.the organisation grew at a rapid rate...
and the Victoria League.
From 1916 she worked devotedly for the Elizabeth Street State School, Hobart. Her leisure activities included gardening and crochet. She was created a Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
on 1 January 1947 and invested at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
by King George VI in 1949.
She died in 1962, survived by her husband and three children.
External links
- W. A. Townsley, Cosgrove, Dame Gertrude Ann (1882 - 1962), Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 13: Melbourne University Press, 1993, p. 506