This image was sent back to Ascot, Victoria.A number of Australian soldiers during World War One surround a launch at the Suez Canal.Verso: Arrival of the launch from ______ which brings our supplies etc. As the picture shows rather a busy momnet and this snap was taken in front of our camp.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, suez canal, world war

The primary role of a Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) member was that of nursing orderly in hospitals, carrying out menial but essential tasks - scrubbing floors, sweeping, dusting and cleaning bathrooms and other areas, dealing with bedpans, and washing patients. They were not employed in military hospitals, except as ward and pantry maids; rather, they worked in Red Cross convalescent and rest homes, canteens, and on troop trains. At the start of the First World War, Australian VADs were restricted from travelling overseas by the Defence Council. As a result, many chose to travel on their own initiative and join British detachments, often in Australian Hospitals. It is reported that the 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital included in their nursing staff some 120 VADs, chiefly Australians in the British service, employed through the Australian Red Cross Society. This policy was changed in 1916 after a request from Great Britain, and the first detachment of thirty official Australian VADs to serve overseas left Australia in September 1916.(http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/vad/, accessed 13 August 2014)A group of VADs, a nurse, and some men from the Australian Imperial Forces. Verso: 'group of nurses and some of the men at Highton - taken at an afternoon we had. Can you find me [Harold Holmes] it is not very clear. The 2nd in uniform from the right hand side.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, highton, red cross, vad, voluntary aid detachment, nurse, nursing

Verso: 'Native water wheel and buildings near A.O.D.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one,

Image of three Australian soldiers in Uniform during World War One, along with a number of Egyptian children. The soldiers are Harold Reid, Harry Holmes, and Gordon Spittle.verso: 'Snap of Harold Reid, Harry [Holmes], Gordon [Spittle] and three Egyptian boys taken in front of fernery at Nouza Gardens.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, nouza gardens

The postcard was sent by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Image of six uniformed Australian Solders, and an Egyptian holding a small bear.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, holmes, harry holmes

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Sepia photograph of an Australian solder on a housechatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, horse

The photograph was associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Gordon Spittle was the youngest of Three brothers. He grew up in Creswick and attended Creswick Grammar School. Gordon purchased 'Mt Cavern' in 1912. It had 4 years of a 10 year lease to run. His mother and father took delivery of it on 1 April 1916. They lived there and farmed it until Gordon returned from active service in May 1919. He married Violet Holmes and both lived at "Mt Cavern" until their deaths. Gordon died in 1942 aged 51. Violet Holmes-Spittle dies in 1949 aged 56. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html)Four Australian soldiersVerso: 'Moascar, Egypt, June 14th '16. From left to right. S.G.S. [Gordon Spittle], Cam Williamson & Harry [Holmes]. Sitting is Private Berry a son of the big merchants in Melbourne. Am sending these negatives to Jim W. so if they arrive safely, you'll be able to get better proofs from him. From Gordon [Spittle].chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, moascar, egypt, suez canal, spittle, williamson, harry holmes, berry, egypt, moarcar

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Photograph of a scene in front of the Anglican Church at Cairo, Egypt. Verso: 'Snap taken in the street at Alexandria opposite the Anglican Church.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, alexandria, egypt

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) A photograph of the cemetery at Metras, Alexandria, Egypt. It shows many graves and monuments.Verso: 'Snap taken of the Egyptian Cemetery near our camp at Metras, Alexandria.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, metras, alexandria, egypt

chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes

The postcard was sent by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Black and white image of a canal in Egypt during World War One.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, egypt

Black and white image of Australian soldiers, horses, supplies, and tents at an Australian Army Depot.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Four postcards of Nouza Gardens, alexandria, Eygpt. .1) Two English soldiers walk down a tree lined avenue at Nouza gardens .2) Garden setting with fernery building on the right. .3) Gardens with towered building in the centre of the photograph .4) Three Egyptian boys who acted as guide to Australian Soldiers Harry Holmes and his friends sit on a seat in front of a fernery building. .1) Aveue at entrance to Nouza gardens, Two tommies in the foreground. .2) View at gardens. Nouza .3) View taken at Nouza Gardens, Alexandria. .4) The fernery at Nouza Gardens. Very pretty inside. the three boys we picked up and they acted as our guides. chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, nouza gardens, alexandria, egypt

The postcard was written on by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Sepia photograph showing a number of tents used by Australian soldiers during World War One, with the Suez Canal in the foreground. Verso "A camp five miles from ours. Snap take [3 words covered in blue pencil by the censor - they appear to say 'across the Canalchatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, suez canal, egypt

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes and Gordon Spittle who were members of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html) Gordon Spittle was the youngest of Three brothers. He grew up in Creswick and attended Creswick Grammar School. Gordon purchased 'Mt Cavern' in 1912. It had 4 years of a 10 year lease to run. His mother and father took delivery of it on 1 April 1916. They lived there and farmed it until Gordon returned from active service in May 1919. He married Violet Holmes and both lived at "Mt Cavern" until their deaths. Gordon died in 1942 aged 51. Violet Holmes-Spittle dies in 1949 aged 56. Black and white postcard showing a statue in the middle of a townscape in Alexandria, Egypt. The monument is Mohamed Aly.Verso "Monument to Mohamed Aly which is erected in the square Alexandria. Gordon. 30/3/16chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, spittle, gordon spittle,

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html)Two postcards showing Australian army camp at Metras Camp, Egypt .1) A soldier sits on a horse in front of a cart. Lines of horses are in the background behind a post and rail fence. .2 A horse is hitched to a manure cart at Metras Camp, Egypt. Lines of horses are in the background. .1) verso - 'Taken at Metras Camp' .2) verso - 'A native horse and cart carting manure at horse lines.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt

The photograph is associated with Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Egypt was a major base for the AIF from December 1914. A number of campaigns were fought in this theatre. There were two campaigns involving the AIF. Note that not all the fighting was actually geographically in Egypt. (http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8888/about3.html)A team of eight camels, teamsters and Howistzer, and a large tent.Verso - 'A team of eight camels yoked in an five inch Howistzer taken at [censored in blue].chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, harry holmes

Printed on the postcard (verso) 'this impressive picture shows a Church of England service on the battle-field for troops going into the trenches, the Chaplain officiating from a small field altar. A number of men near around an altar with a priest during World War One. chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt

The Easter Uprising took place in April 1916 in Dublin and is one of the pivotal events in modern Irish history. At the end of the Easter Uprising, 15 men identified as leaders were executed at Kilmainham Jail. To some, these men were traitors, to others they became heroes. (http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/1916_easter_rising.htm, accessed 16 April 2014) Organised by seven members of the Military Council of the Irish Republican Brotherhood,[3] the Rising began on Easter Monday, 24 April 1916, and lasted for six days. Members of the Irish Volunteers — led by schoolmaster and Irish language activist Patrick Pearse, joined by the smaller Irish Citizen Army of James Connolly, along with 200 members of Cumann na mBan — seized key locations in Dublin and proclaimed the Irish Republic independent of the United Kingdom. There were some actions in other parts of Ireland: however, except for the attack on the Royal Irish Constabulary barracks at Ashbourne, County Meath, they were minor. With vastly superior numbers and the use of artillery, the British army quickly suppressed the Rising, and Pearse agreed to an unconditional surrender on Saturday 29 April. Most of the leaders were executed following courts-martial, but the Rising succeeded in bringing physical force republicanism back to the forefront of Irish politics. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Rising, accessed 16/04/2014) Sackville Street Dublin is now known a O'Connell Street.Seven black and white postcards showing photographic scenes before and after the Rising in Dublin.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, ireland, dublin, uprising, sackville street, o'connell bridge, citizen army, liberty hall, henry street, nelson's pillar, post office, arnott's, abbey street, ruins, hotel metropole, the rising, easter uprising, easter rebellion, o'connell, chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, ireland, dublin, uprising, sackville street, o'connell bridge, citizen army, liberty hall, henry street, nelson's pillar, post office, arnott's, abbey street, ruins, hotel metropole, the rising, easter uprising, easter rebellion, o'connell

A page form the Ballarat Courier outling the centenary of Loreto Ballarat.mary's mount, loreto ballarat, mother mary gonzaga barry, centenary, chatham-holmes family collection, chatham family archive

Eight page newspaper magazine recounting the story of the Australian Diggers who fought on the Western Front. world war one, western front, 24th battallion, mont sr quentin, fromelles, pozieres, mouquet, messines, bullecourt, villers-bretonneux, ypres, hamel, quentin, hindenburg, anniversary, john poulton, may tilton, louis nitchie, monty nitchie, clara payne, jean howard, jim nitchie, hector nitchie, victoria cross, albert jacka, william jackson, rupert moon, patrick bugden, walter peeler, william ruthven, walter brown, percy statton, lawrence mccarthy, robert mactier, c.e.w. bean, keith murdoch, chatham family archive, chatham-holmes family collection

Most probably taken by Harry Holmes while serving with the AIF in Egypt during World War One.Photograph of a giraffe behind a fencei n the Cairo Zoo during World War One. Verso 'A giraffe in the Cairo Zoo'.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, egypt, cairo, middle east

HENRY SMERDON (Harry) HOLMES was born in 1897 at the family property, ’Sauchieburn’, 17 km north of Ballarat, in the Ascot district. He was the youngest of four children. After finishing his education at St Patrick’s College, Ballarat, Henry joined the Holmes family farming interests. At the age of 18 he enlisted and served with AIF in Egypt, France and Belgium 1915-1918. Henry served at the famous battlegrounds of Ypes and Somme in the Australian Army 8th Battalion. He was a Driver with the 4th D.A.C. The postcard is of "The Ascot" boys. Includes [Samuel] Gordon Spittle, Henry [Harry] Holmes's first cousin, and other Ascot lads and district connections: neighbours, Ascot State School classmates and football mates from Clunes / Creswick districts. [Research by a granddaughter of Henry Smerdon Holmes, Jane Dyer (nee Chatham) 2024] Ray Blight and Gordon Les Sim were former students of the Ballarat School of Mines. Les Sim was associated with Sim and Co. hardware and wood merchants). Eight soldiers of the AIF. They are the tent mates of Harry Holmes a Driver with the 5th D.A.C. The names of the soldiers are John Raymond (Ray) Blight, Joseph Fawcett, John Joseph (Jack) Nase, Gordon Spittle, Harry Holmes, Harold Joseph Reid, James Leslie (Les) Sim, Leslie John Walters. handwritten in pen on verso "This is a snap of our tent mates. Reading left to right. Back row, Jack Nase, Joe Fawcett, H. Reid. Middle - Les Walters, Ray Blight, Gordon Les Sim, (Sim and Co wood merchants) and Harryworld war 1, chatham, jack nase, chatham family archive, joe fawcett, h. reid, blight, sim, les walters, ray blight, gordon les sim, pickford, world war, gordon spittle, harry holmes, les sim, horace pickford, world war one, aif, armed services

Holmes Family Ascot World War One memorabilia This postcard was sent from France during World War One. The writer, Gordon Spittle, enlisted with the brother of the recipient, Mary Coghill Holmes. Postcard with embroidered detail on white silk. The embroidery includes a crowned crest, and the flags of England, France, and Italy and the words "Souvenir d'Amiens".Verso "Somewhere in France July 14th '17 My dear Mary, In the first place I have to thank you for your letter of April 30th which came to hand by the last mail, and also very kindly the tin of biscuits sent per Miss B. which came to hand by the last Sunday. I also received a tin from Violet and will be writing her to-morrow and the next day it it is not to hot and muggy. I can assure you both that I appreciate your continued kindness more than words can tell, and only regret that I am unable to do something in return. Who can believe it is just two years ago since Harry & I enlisted, & the war doesn't appear to be any nearer ending than it did then, however let us hope and trust the end is not very far off, for goodness only knows how utterly tied (sic) of it we all are. His Majesty the King paid our division a visit on Thursday, & yesterday I went to Amiens for the day. Must now ring off for the present with kindest regards to your Mother, Violet, Willie and Self. From S. Gordon S." chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, harry holmes, mary holmes, amiens, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, gordon spittle, embroidery, france, western front, mary coghill holmes, postcard

Four uniformed Australian soldiers pose for a photograph during World War One. The two seated soldiers wear gas masks. Standing left to right: Gordon Spittle, Harry Holmes Sitting: Jack Nase, Joe FawcettVerso: Snap taken in our fighting headgear. We always were (sic) the iron helmets when near the trenches, and the front helmets are gas helmets.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france

A number of uniformed Australian soldiers are photographed sitting and standing around a table while they eat. chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, harry holmes, eating, camp