Gardner was born in New Jersey in 1873, the youngest son of son of Charles Gardner JP and Sarah Gardner née Tallant of "Bassein," Kew, Victoria. Charles was mayor of the City of Kew in 1896. His father was a representative of Cassell & Co., book sellers, and was for a time stationed in America. The family moved to Victoria, Australia in 1884 to establish a presence for the company. He was educated at Kew High School, where he was Nichols' prizeman in 1886, and Scotch College, Melbourne, where he won a scholarship to Ormond College, Melbourne University. There he had a distinguished academic career, graduating MA and MSc in 1897, and in 1898 BCE, which included mining. He moved to Broken Hill in 1897 to take up a post of assistant surveyor with BHP, which involved a great deal of underground survey work. In 1900 he was appointed chief surveyor and draughtsman on the Block 10 mine, then in June 1903 was appointed assistant manager of the Central mine. On 9 April 1906 a sudden release of toxic gas occurred in the Block 11 mine, killing two immediately and trapping many more. Gardner made several attempts to get down to the trapped miners but was on each occasion driven back by fumes. He was one of those presented with a medal from the Royal Humane Society for his efforts. Around June 1923 fire broke out among the shoring timbers of the Central mine. Firemen were unable to approach the seat of the fire, and efforts to flood the area through the old Kintore shaft and through holes left be the ground creeping came to nothing. By February 1924 6-inch bores were, under Gardner's direction, being made to the assumed location of the fire, and water poured in. By April 1924 work could be resumed underground but in September it was still burning. Manager James Hebbard retired at the end of 1924 and Gardner was appointed in his place, remaining there for the rest of his working life. In 1928, with metals prices and demand plummeting, he sought a six month variation to the terms of labour employment to reduce the cost of operating the mine. Gardner retired when the mine shut down in 1940. He returned to Melbourne, living at Box Hill where he died.
Other interests
Gardner was one of the first radio amateurs in Broken Hill.
Thelma G. Gardner married Owen Thomas Morris only son of Mrs. O. H. Morris, of "Moorakyne", Mount Gambier, on 21 April 1927 at Sulphide Street Methodist Church, Broken Hill.
Lynore Gardner married R. H. von der Borch
Everson Gardner married Lynette Elisabeth Finnis, second daughter of Rev. H. P. Finnis of North Adelaide.
