Gilbert E. Primrose
Scottish footballer turned Queensland soft-drink company director.
Gilbert Edward Primrose, an amateur Scottish sportsman, made one appearance for the Scottish football XI against England in the representative match played in February 1871. He later settled in Helidon, near Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, where he became a director of the Helidon Spa Water Company. In 1959, the company merged with Owen Gardener & Sons to become Kirks.
Quick Facts
- Born
- 27 February 1848
- Died
- 16 February 1935
- Place of birth
- Dalmeny, near Edinburgh
- Occupation
- Director of Helidon Spa Water Company
- Spouse
- Jessie Catherine Costelloe
- Marriage date
- 13 May 1893
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Primrose was a late replacement for William Baillie-Hamilton in the February 1871 international match against England, which ended in a 1–1 draw.
- In some contemporary match reports, Primrose is listed as 'C.E. Primrose'.
- Primrose was appointed to represent Queensland at the 'Greater Britain Exhibition' at Earls Court, London in May 1899.
Family and education
Gilbert E. Primrose, born near Edinburgh at Dalmeny, was the third of six sons. His parents were the Hon. Bouverie Francis Primrose and Frederica Sophia Anson, and his father was a grandson of the 4th Earl of Rosebery. Baptised at St. John's Episcopal Church in Edinburgh, he attended Trinity College, Glenalmond from 1858 to 1865, where he played for the school cricket team. On 13 May 1893, in Brisbane, he married Jessie Catherine Costelloe, whose father was Lieutenant Costelloe of Lackeen Castle, Birr, Ireland.
Helidon Spa Water Company
He sought new investors for a proposed limited company, and in October 1885 a special train brought potential investors from Brisbane to view the springs and taste the water. Breakages led the company to transport water from Helidon to a new bottling factory in Brisbane. In October 1895 Primrose sued Jean de Raeve for an unpaid debt of £19 0s. 7d. The company's success led to frequent copyright lawsuits; in May 1897 Primrose successfully sued Alfred Lucas Gardner, trading as Owen Gardner and Sons, for infringement of patent rights concerning Helidon Spa water. This prevented Gardner and Sons from using the words 'Helidon' or 'Spa Water' until a similar suit against Edward Campbell was appealed and rules relaxed. In 1959, Helidon Spa Water Company and Owen Gardner & Sons merged to become Helidon Gardner Pty Ltd, trading as Kirk's. Kirks is now owned by Coca-Cola Amatil.
Later life
Primrose served as a captain in both the Queensland Scottish Rifles and the Queensland Defence Force, and also held the office of justice of the peace. In May 1899, he was chosen to represent Queensland at London's Greater Britain Exhibition. After returning to England in 1909, he died in Worthing, West Sussex, on 16 February 1935.
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