[Index]
Thomas Frederick SHEARS (1880 - 1918)
Children Self + Spouses Parents Grandparents Greatgrandparents
Thomas Frederick SHEARS (1880 - 1918) Frank (SHEERS) SHEARS (1846 - 1911)











Jane SNADDEN (1854 - 1917) John SNADDEN (1819 - 1893) Andrew SNADDEN (1773 - )
Janet PATERSON (1777 - )
Mary HUNTER (1830 - 1903) Joseph HUNTER (1806 - 1851)
Jean Janet Jane PATTERSON (1803 - 1873)
Thomas Frederick SHEARS
Pic 1. FRANK SHEARS
died 15th March 1911
aged 65 years
also
his beloved wife JANE
died 13th May 1917
aged 63 years
also
Pte Harry SHEARS
killed in Messines, France
9th June 1917
aged 23 years
and
Pte Thomas Frederick SHEARS
killed Villers Bretonneux
9th April 1918
aged 38 years

b. 1880 at Wallsend, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
d. 09 Apr 1918 at Villers Bretonneux, France aged 38
Near Relatives of Thomas Frederick SHEARS (1880 - 1918)
Relationship Person Born Birth Place Died Death Place Age
Grandfather John SNADDEN 15 Apr 1819 Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland 18 Jan 1893 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 73
Grandmother Mary HUNTER abt 1830 Clackmannan, Clackmannanshire, Scotland 06 Jun 1903 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 73

Father Frank (SHEERS) SHEARS abt 1846 15 Mar 1911 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 65
Mother Jane SNADDEN 29 May 1854 Clackmannan, Clackmannanshire, Scotland 1917 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 63

Self Thomas Frederick SHEARS 1880 Wallsend, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 09 Apr 1918 Villers Bretonneux, France 38

Brother George SHEARS 1874 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1876 Wallsend, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 2
Brother Francis George John SHEARS 1876 Maitland, NSW, Australia 1878 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 2
Sister Mary Eliza SHEARS 1878 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1963 Cessnock, NSW, Australia 85
Sister Janet SHEARS 1882 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 15 Apr 1972 Minmi Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 90
Brother Joseph Hunter SHEARS 1884 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1960 Cessnock, NSW, Australia 76
Brother William Sneddon SHEARS 1887 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1947 Cessnock, NSW, Australia 60
Sister Sarah A SHEARS 1890 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Brother Thomas S SHEARS 1891 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1892 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1
Brother Harry (Henry) SHEARS 1894 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 09 Jun 1917 Messines, Belgium 23

Uncle Andrew A SNADDEN 1842 Clackmannan, Clackmannanshire, Scotland 1878 Lambton, NSW, Australia 36
Uncle John SNADDEN 1845 Clackmannan, Clackmannanshire, Scotland 1859 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 14
Aunt Isabella SNADDEN abt 1850 Sauchie, Clackmannan, Clackmannanshire, Scotland bef 1855 5
Aunt Janet Patterson SNADDEN 1856 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1895 Wallsend, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 39
Uncle Peter BLAIR
Aunt Mary C SNADDEN 1858 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1860 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 2
Uncle Joseph Hunter SNADDEN 1863 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1938 Kurri Kurri, NSW, Australia 75
Aunt Jane KIRKWOOD? 1923 Kurri Kurri, NSW, Australia
Uncle Robert Hunter SNADDEN 1865 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1954 Rockdale, Sydney, NSW, Australia 89
Aunt Sarah Mary Josephine SCULLY 1865 Co Tipperary, Ireland 28 May 1919 Marickville, Sydney, NSW, Australia 54
Aunt Mary Jane MCCOLL
Uncle John SNADDEN 05 Jan 1865 Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Uncle William Hunter SNADDEN 1867 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 04 Dec 1935 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 68
Aunt Alice Maria RICHARDS 1857 West Maitland, NSW, Australia 20 Dec 1930 Minmi , Newcastle, NSW, Australia 73
Uncle James SNADDEN 1871 Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Uncle Thomas SNADDEN 1871 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1960 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 89
Aunt Julia Elizabeth PAUL 1864 Penrith, NSW, Australia 1958 Hamilton, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 94

Cousin Claude BLAIR 1886 Wallsend, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1904 Cobar, NSW, Australia 18
Cousin Janet E BLAIR 1888 Wallsend, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1890 Wallsend, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 2
Cousin Peter J BLAIR 1889 Wallsend, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Cousin Ethel A P BLAIR 1892 Wallsend, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Cousin Veda SNADDEN 1899 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1958 Kurri Kurri, NSW, Australia 59
Cousin Joseph V SNADDEN 1901 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1903 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 2
Cousin Nicoll KIRKWOOD
Cousin Robert SNADDEN 1886 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1954 68
Cousin Johanna Sarah SNADDEN 1888 Redfern, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Cousin Thomas S SNADDEN 1891 Redfern, Sydney, NSW, Australia 1896 Hunters Hill, NSW, Australia 5
Cousin Sarah Millicent SNADDEN 1894 Hurstville, NSW, Australia
Cousin Mary Elizabeth SNADDEN 14 Jan 1898 Hurstville, NSW, Australia 29 Oct 1985 Burwood, New South Wales, Australia 87
Cousin John Adrian Rudolph (Ade) SNADDEN 1888 West Maitland, NSW, Australia 1950 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 62
Cousin William Leslie Hunter SNADDEN 1890 West Maitland, NSW, Australia 07 Jun 1917 Messines, Belgium 27
Cousin Lyall Joseph B SNADDEN 1891 West Maitland, NSW, Australia 1961 Kurri Kurri, NSW, Australia 70
Cousin Thomas Herbert (Bert) E SNADDEN 1893 West Maitland, NSW, Australia 13 Jun 1967 Wyong, NSW, Australia 74
Cousin Ivy Pearl SNADDEN 1895 West Maitland, NSW, Australia 1977 82
Cousin Ruby May SNADDEN 1896 West Maitland, NSW, Australia 1896 Minmi Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 0
Cousin Francis Maitland SNADDEN 1899 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1976 77
Cousin Elizabeth Taylor SNADDEN 1895 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 1957 Newcastle, NSW, Australia 62
Cousin Mary H SNADDEN 1898 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Cousin John (Jack) SNADDEN 1900 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 28 May 1903 Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia 3

Brother in Law James P HAFEY
Brother in Law James WOOD
Events in Thomas Frederick SHEARS (1880 - 1918)'s life
Date Age Event Place Notes Src
1880 Thomas Frederick SHEARS was born Wallsend, Newcastle, NSW, Australia Reg No. 20793/1880 17
15 Mar 1911 31 Death of father Frank (SHEERS) SHEARS (aged 65) Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia Note 1 17, 60
28 Dec 1915 35 Military Service Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia Note 2 64
1917 37 Death of mother Jane SNADDEN (aged 63) Minmi, Newcastle, NSW, Australia Note 3 17, 53, 60
09 Apr 1918 38 Thomas Frederick SHEARS died Villers Bretonneux, France Note 4 53
Note 1: Reg No. 2279/1911
Minmi cemetery Shears Frank 15 Mar 1911 65 yr h/Jane

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate 17 March 1911
MINMI
Mr. Frank Shears, who died at his residence, Minmi, on Wednesday, was a resident of Minmi for 35 years. Over two years ago the deceased met with a serious accident In the Duckenfield mine by being run over by a train of empty skips. He never recovered from the effects of this accident, and the cause of his death was the result of same. He was 68 years of age, and at one time took a prominent part in the local miners' lodge, of which he was chairman for a number of years. His funeral took place on Thursday after noon, and was largely attended. The service of the Methodist Church was conducted by Rev,. Stuart Wright. The Ancient Order of Druids and the Man chester Unity Order al Oddfellows, of which deceased was a member, were well represented.
Note 2: Thomas Frederick SHEARS

Regimental number 554
Place of birth Minmi, New South Wales
School Minmi Public School, New South Wales
Religion Methodist
Occupation Miner
Address Minmi via Newcastle, New South Wales
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 36
Next of kin Mother, Mrs Jane Shears, Minmi via Newcastle, New South Wales
Enlistment date 28 December 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 28 December 1915
Rank on enlistment Private
Unit name 34th Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/51/1
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 2 May 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll Private
Unit from Nominal Roll 34th Battalion
Fate Killed in Action 9 April 1918
Place of death or wounding Villers-Bretonneux, France
Date of death 9 April 1918
Age at death 38
Age at death from cemetery records 38
Place of burial No known grave
Commemoration details Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France

Villers-Bretonneux is a village about 15 km east of Amiens. The Memorial stands on the high ground ('Hill 104') behind the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Fouilloy, which is about 2 km north of Villers-Bretonneux on the east side of the road to Fouilloy.

The Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux is approached through the Military Cemetery, at the end of which is an open grass lawn which leads into a three-sided court. The two pavilions on the left and right are linked by the north and south walls to the back (east) wall, from which rises the focal point of the Memorial, a 105 foot tall tower, of fine ashlar. A staircase leads to an observation platform, 64 feet above the ground, from which further staircases lead to an observation room. This room contains a circular stone tablet with bronze pointers indicating the Somme villages whose names have become synonymous with battles of the Great War; other battle fields in France and Belgium in which Australians fought; and far beyond, Gallipoli and Canberra.

On the three walls, which are faced with Portland stone, are the names of 10,885 Australians who were killed in France and who have no known grave. The 'blocking course' above them bears the names of the Australian Battle Honours.

After the war an appeal in Australia raised £22,700, of which £12,500 came from Victorian school children, with the request that the majority of the funds be used to build a new school in Villers-Bretonneux. The boys' school opened in May 1927, and contains an inscription stating that the school was the gift of Victorian schoolchildren, twelve hundred of whose fathers are buried in the Villers-Bretonneux cemetery, with the names of many more recorded on the Memorial. Villers-Bretonneux is now twinned with Robinvale, Victoria, which has in its main square a memorial to the links between the two towns.
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
Australian War Memorial 124
Family/military connections Brother: 564 Pte Harry SHEARS, 35th Bn, killed in action, 8 June 1917.
Note 3: Reg No. 8556/1917
Minmi cemetery Shears Jane 13th May 1912 63yr wFrank

Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate 19 May 1917
of the late Mr. Frank Shears, died at her residence, School Hill, Minmi, on Sunday, after an illness extending over nearly twelve months. Mrs. Shears, who had lived at Minmi for 56 years, leaves a family of four sons and three daughters. The sons are Messrs. Frederick, William, Joseph, and Henry, and the daughters Mrs. James Hafey, Mrs. James Woods, and Miss Janet Shears. Two of the sons, Messrs. Frederick and Henry, have been away on active service over twelve months. The funeral took place on Tues day afternoon, the internment being in the Minmi cemetery, the Rev. Mr. Rolph, of the Methodist Church, officiating. Mr. Frank Shears, husband of deceased, died at Minmi seven years ago.
Note 4: Minmi cemetery - Shears Thomas Frederick 9/Apr 1918 38yr 354 Pte 34 Bn; killed at Villers Bretoneux
Headstone reads:
FRANK SHEARS
died 15th March 1911
aged 65 years
also
his beloved wife JANE
died 13th May 1917
aged 63 years
also
Pte Harry SHEARS
killed in Messines, France
9th June 1917
aged 23 years
and
Pte Thomas Frederick SHEARS
killed Villers Bretonneux
9th April 1918
aged 38 years
Source References:
17. Type: Vital Record, Abbr: NSW bdm register, Title: NSW bdm register
- Reference = (Birth)
- Notes: Reg No. 20793/1880
- Reference = (Name, Notes)
53. Type: Australia Cemetery Index 1808-2007
- Reference = (Death)
- Notes: FRANK SHEARS
died 15th March 1911
aged 65 years
also
his beloved wife JANE
died 13th May 1917
aged 63 years
also
Pte Harry SHEARS
killed in Messines, France
9th June 1917
aged 23 years
and
Pte Thomas Frederick SHEARS
killed Villers Bretonneux
9th April 1918
aged 38 years
64. Type: Web Page, Abbr: AIF Project, Title: AIF Project, Auth: Australian Defence Forces http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au
- Reference = (Military Service)
- Notes: Thomas Frederick SHEARS

Regimental number 554
Place of birth Minmi, New South Wales
School Minmi Public School, New South Wales
Religion Methodist
Occupation Miner
Address Minmi via Newcastle, New South Wales
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 36
Next of kin Mother, Mrs Jane Shears, Minmi via Newcastle, New South Wales
Enlistment date 28 December 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll 28 December 1915
Rank on enlistment Private
Unit name 34th Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number 23/51/1
Embarkation details Unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 2 May 1916
Rank from Nominal Roll Private
Unit from Nominal Roll 34th Battalion
Fate Killed in Action 9 April 1918
Place of death or wounding Villers-Bretonneux, France
Date of death 9 April 1918
Age at death 38
Age at death from cemetery records 38
Place of burial No known grave
Commemoration details Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France

Villers-Bretonneux is a village about 15 km east of Amiens. The Memorial stands on the high ground ('Hill 104') behind the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, Fouilloy, which is about 2 km north of Villers-Bretonneux on the east side of the road to Fouilloy.

The Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux is approached through the Military Cemetery, at the end of which is an open grass lawn which leads into a three-sided court. The two pavilions on the left and right are linked by the north and south walls to the back (east) wall, from which rises the focal point of the Memorial, a 105 foot tall tower, of fine ashlar. A staircase leads to an observation platform, 64 feet above the ground, from which further staircases lead to an observation room. This room contains a circular stone tablet with bronze pointers indicating the Somme villages whose names have become synonymous with battles of the Great War; other battle fields in France and Belgium in which Australians fought; and far beyond, Gallipoli and Canberra.

On the three walls, which are faced with Portland stone, are the names of 10,885 Australians who were killed in France and who have no known grave. The 'blocking course' above them bears the names of the Australian Battle Honours.

After the war an appeal in Australia raised £22,700, of which £12,500 came from Victorian school children, with the request that the majority of the funds be used to build a new school in Villers-Bretonneux. The boys' school opened in May 1927, and contains an inscription stating that the school was the gift of Victorian schoolchildren, twelve hundred of whose fathers are buried in the Villers-Bretonneux cemetery, with the names of many more recorded on the Memorial. Villers-Bretonneux is now twinned with Robinvale, Victoria, which has in its main square a memorial to the links between the two towns.
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
Australian War Memorial 124
Family/military connections Brother: 564 Pte Harry SHEARS, 35th Bn, killed in action, 8 June 1917.