Lot 28 – Furneaux Estate
Henry Martin "Marty" and Nellie Gavin
War Service Land Settlement Scheme
Farm gate memorial sign
Henry Martin “Marty” Gavin was born at Happy Valley, Flinders Island, in 1918 and worked on his family’s property before becoming a seaman on vessels servicing the island. During the Second World War he enlisted in the Army and served with the 2/40th Infantry Battalion. Captured by the Japanese in Timor, he spent three and a half years as a prisoner of war, enduring harsh conditions while forced to work on the Burma Railway in Thailand.
Returning to Flinders Island in 1946, Gavin married Nell Willis the following year and worked on several large properties before obtaining Lot 28 on the Furneaux Estate. The family moved onto the property in 1967, where he earned a reputation as a capable and conscientious farmer. Affectionately known as “Marty,” he continued farming until poor health forced his retirement and died at a relatively young age.
Information from “The Gold Coast Settlers”, Bob Mainwaring
Henry Martin "Marty" Gavin
Military Service
Marty Gavin’s military service is recorded as Army, with the service number xxxxx. Further details of his wartime service are still being researched and may be added as additional records become available.
Recorded details: Army · Service number xxxxxx
Property History
moved to Lot
Timeline
| year | moved to Lot . |
Maps and Location
Lot 28 was part of the Furneaux Estate, the largest soldier settlement area developed on Flinders Island.
Historical maps and current location images will be added as research continues. Lot boundaries, house sites and later property changes may require further verification.
Map to be added
Historic lot map, estate plan or modern aerial image.
Photographs and Records
Photographs, maps, service records, family documents and newspaper items relating to Lot 28 are being collected.
If you have images or records connected to Lot 28 , the Furneaux Museum would be pleased to hear from you.
Can You Help?
The Furneaux Museum is continuing to document the history of each soldier settlement lot.
If you have photographs, family stories, military service records, farm records, maps, newspaper articles or corrections relating to Lot 28, or its owners over time, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Your contribution will help preserve the history of the Soldier Settlement Scheme on Flinders Island.
Sources and Research Notes
Information on this page has been compiled from local soldier settlement records, family and community contributions, and ongoing research by the Furneaux Museum Soldier Settlement Scheme Working Group.
Some details may be incomplete or subject to correction as further information becomes available.