13/03/2026
There is so much to love about this portrait of Gladys Tasker; her beautifully styled hair, her elegant attire, but most of all, that she chose to pose whilst knitting! I’d love to know what she’s making and for whom. Any ideas?
Gladys was born in 1892 in Richmond, VIC. At 29, she married Robert Duxson, an ANZAC who served in the 8th Light Horse Brigade. Whilst he enlisted in 1915 it appears he was deployed to Egypt as part of the mounted brigade, thereby avoiding Gallipoli. Robert was transferred to the 1st Field Squadron in 1917 and supported the famous infantry charge at Beersheba. He was discharged at the close of war, returning home in 1919 after four years of service. Two years later, he married Gladys.
There is little further information on Gladys or Robert, however I did find a lovely letter written by 14-year-old Robert in the Children’s section of The Leader where he wrote about an upcoming picnic and ball. His letter was accompanied by a cheque for 17/- which he had raised for ‘Cinderella’s Cot’ - a charity that used donated funds to purchase hospital beds for children. How beautiful is that!
Whilst I couldn’t find too much more information on the couple, it appears they were survived by a son and spent afternoons watching Robert play cricket for the Sunshine RSL Cricket team. I’d like to think Gladys sat with her son at her side, watching her husband play whilst she finished her knitting.
