reynell born on september 4, 1881, in glenelg, a suburb of adelaide, australia. she was the third of the five children of well-to-do land agent and wine-grape grower walter reynell and his wife emily (née bakewell). she was the granddaughter of john reynell, who is thought to have established the first commercial winery in south australia, and the cousin of suffragist elizabeth webb nicholls. walter reynell had inherited his father's large estate, and it was there that gladys grew up and was home-schooled, before matriculating at tormore house school in north adelaide.