A woman wearing a hat and gloves removes an Australian flag to unveil a plaque in a rock commemorating the Pioneers of Ascot, Victoria from 1838. The plaque is in front of the Ascot District Community Hall. The woman is Mary Coghill Holmes, in 1988 she was the oldest living descendent of the district's pioneer Coghill FamiiyIn blue ballpoint pen verso: "Auntie Mary coghill - Holmes. Ascot 150 years Celebrations in from of Ascot Hall. chatham, chatham family collection, ascot, mary coghill, mary holmes, mary coghill-holmes

Newspaper article from the Ballarat Courier on the History of Charlotte Plains.charlotte plains, barone de riebald, simson mansion, george cain, carisbrook, hector simson, donald simson, john simson, chatham family archive

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. S. Gordon Spittle married Violet Holmes and both lived at "Mt Cavern" until their deaths. Gordon died in 1942 aged 51. Violet Holmes-Spittle died in 1949 aged 56. Handwritten lower front 'Do we look down hearted?' Handwritten verso 'Egypt, March 23rd 1916. Dear Mrs Troup. Your very fine and interesting letter dated Feb 15th came to hand to-day and needless to add was delighted to receive it, and can promise you that I'll answer it at my earliest opportunity. We are now having a better time since we came to this part, as we are able to enjoy a little of city life, although we have a good deal more work to do, & which is mostly carting goods to & from the ships & railway stations etc, all of which is interesting & quite a change from our life on the Desert. Hope this card finds you in good health. I will now have to say au revoir for the present with kindest regards to Mr Troup, self and family. From your very sincere friends, A. Gordon Spittle."Two uniformed Australian soldiers pose for a photograph during World War One.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, spittle, gordon spittle

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 died in 1949 aged 56. Image of eight Australian soldiers during World War One. They stand in front of damaged palm trees alongside their horses. Each of the soldiers are from Ascot, Victoria. They are Harry [Holmes], Jack Nase, Harold Reid, Gordon Spittle, Les Walters, Archie May, Frank Thomas, Joe Fawcett.'Verso 'A group of the Ascot boy. Taken with our own horses. from left to right:- Harry [Holmes], Jack Nase, Harold Reid, Gordon Spittle, Les Walters, Archie May, Frank Thomas, Joe Fawcett.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, ascot, harry holmes, gordon spittle, les walters, archie may, frank thomas. mase, reif, spittle, walters, may, thomas, fawcett

Certificates relating to Mary Elizabeth Chatham nee Holmesmary elizabeth chatham, death certificate, marriage certificate, matriculation certificate, driver licence, ballarat, philip chatham, family history, genealogy

Photograph of William (Bill) Holmes brother of Jack, David and Elizabeth Holmes originally from Ascot and wife of Margaret nee Coghlan.Black and white photograph of Bill [William] Holmes in glasses. Tie pin possibly a Bowling Pinholmes family, chatham-holmes family collection, bill holmes, william holmes

Chatham family flew on a day trip to Wilpena Pound. Polaroid imagechatham-holmes collection, philip chatham, elizabeth chatham, wilpena pound, south australia, plane flight

This item most probably dates from the World War One era. Boulevard de Bonne Nouvelle in the 9th district of the city of Paris.Buses and cars travel along a Paris street lined with buildings.chatham-holmes family collection, paris, bus, car, horse, world war one, paris, france

At Mont-des-Cats Abbey a first community of the Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony was settled in 1650 and lasted until the French Revolution which closed the monastery in 1792. In 1826, a new community of Trappists (Reformed Cistercians) was funded, and this congregation has run the abbey ever since. (wikipedia). This card was most probably purchased during an Australian soldier during World War One. A black and white postcard showing a french abbey which is sitting behind a garden in winter.chatham-holmes family collection, france, church, abbey, mont des cats, world war 1, world war, world war one

Colonne Vendôme is located in the centre of the Place Vendome square and was erected by Napoleon as the Colonne d'Austerlitz. The column in 44 metres tall and is modeleld after Rome's Trajan Column. It was built to commemorate the victory at Austerlitz in 1805, one of Napoleon's greatest. The column's continuous ribbon of bas-relief bronze plates by the sculptor Pierre-Nolasque Bergeret were made from 1200 cannons taken from the combined armies of Russia and Austria during that battle. The reliefs depict scenes during the Napoleonic Wars between 1805 and 1807. The Column was later was given the names of Colonne de la Victoire (Victory Column) and Colonne de la Grande Armée (Column of the Great Army). Today it is commonly known as the Colonne Vendôme. A statue of Napoleon was installed at the top of the column in 1810. Later, the statue of the emperor was removed and the bronze melted down to provide the bronze for the recast of the equestrian statue of Henri IV on the Pont Neuf. A new statue was installed in 1833 which was later replaced by the statue that is seen today. It was erected by Napoleon III and depicts Napoleon I as a Roman emperor.Black and white postcard of a sculptural column in Paris. chatham-holmes family collection, sculpture, napoleon, paris, vendome, world war, world war 1, world war one, column

Le Bizet is a village in the Belgian province of Hainaut . It lies in the district of Ploegsteert and is near the French border. This postcard was purchased by an Australian soldier during World War One. Black and white postcard showing houses in Le Bizet, Belgium in ruins after bombing during World War One. This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. chatham-holmes family collection, le bizet, belgium, ploegsteert, world war, world war 1, bombing, world war one, western front

A Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) burial ground, the Dickebusch Old Military Cemetery, is a burial ground for the dead of the First World War and the Second World War. It is located at Dickebusch in the Ypres Salient in Belgium on the Western Front of the first war. Dickebusch (now Dikkebusch) is a village and commune in the Province of West Flanders, 5 kilometres South-West of Ypres on the road to Bailleul.Black and white photograph of a church with a steeple with a clocktower. The church was bombed in 1917 during World War One. This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. chatham-holmes family collection, dickebusch, belgium, ypres salient, dikkebusch, world war one

La Joliette is a neighbourhood of the 2nd arrondissement of Marseille located at the start of the autonomous port of Marseille. Black and white photograph of a sea going vessel carrying the outgoing mail of the Port of Joliette. A lighthouse is located to the left.chatham-holmes family collection, la joliette, marseille, france, port, boat, ship, vessel, phare sainte marie

Probably acquired because of its connection to rural life and the Irish immigrants settled in the Ballarat DistrictSix coloured images from Killarney, Ireland. * Colleen Gawn Rock * Meeting of the Waters * Upper Lake and MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Killarney * The Islands, Upper Lake * Kate Kearney's Cottage * Lower Lake and Ross Castlechatham-holmes family archive, killarney, ireland

Holmes Family WW1 memorabilia Kemmel village is around six miles south-west of Ypres. Located just to the north of the village centre is Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery. The cemetery was established early in the war, in December 1914, taking its name from Kemmel Chateau which stood to the rear of the cemetery location. The chateau at certain stages in the war housed an Advanced Dressing Station (ADS), and the cemetery continued to be used until March 1918, when Kemmel was taken by the Germans. Although it was retaken later on that year, both the cemetery and the chateau suffered from shelling with the chateau being destroyed. In total there are 1,135 First World War soldiers buried here, all but three being identified. In addition, located in a row on the left by the entrance are 21 Second World War burials. http://www.ww1battlefields.co.uk/flanders/kemmel.html, accessed 11/07/2014)Two black and white postcards showing Kemmel, France. .1) Grand'Place avec Kiosque permanent .2) Le Belvedere et le Moulinchatham-holmes family collection, kemmel, france, world war one, postcard

During the First World War on 8 October 1914, the British Royal Flying Corps (RFC) arrived in Saint-Omer and a headquarters was established at the aerodrome next to the local race course. For the following four years, Saint-Omer was a focal point for all RFC operations in the field. Although most squadrons only used Saint-Omer as a transit camp before moving on to other locations, the base grew in importance as it increased its logistic support to the RFC. Many Royal Air Force squadrons can trace their roots to formation at Saint-Omer during this period. Among which are No. IX Squadron RAF which was formed at Saint-Omer, 14 December 1914 and No. 16 Squadron RAF which was formed on 10 February 1915. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Omer, accessed 14/07/2014) During World War II, the Luftwaffe used the airfield. When the RAF's legless Battle of Britain ace, Douglas Bader, parachuted from his Spitfire during an aerial battle over France, he was initially treated at a Luftwaffe hospital at Saint Omer. He had lost an artificial leg when bailing out, and the RAF dropped him another one during a bombing raid.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Omer, accessed 14/07/2014)Four postcards of Saint Omer in Francechatham-holmes family collection, saint omer, france, ww1, postcard

Set between the Atlantic Ocean, 12 Ben Mountains and preserved boglands, lies the town of Clifden on the Coast of Connemara.A man stands beside a donkey carry two baskets. It is possibly on the Derrygimlagh Bogchatham-holmes family collection, clifden, derrygimlagh, bog

Probably acquired because of its connection to rural life and the Irish immigrants settled in the Ballarat DistrictA postcard of a grey horse pulling a cart with a man in a hat holding a whip.chatham-holmes family collection, ireland, irish jaunting car, horse, carriage, cart, transport

Possibly acquired because of a connection to rural life and the Irish immigrants settled in the Ballarat District. Harry and Edith Holmes visited this area with my mother, their daughter M. Elizabeth in the early 1950s. [Jane Dyer 2024]A town is surrounded by green fields and trees. A mountain is evident in the backgroundchatham-holmes family collection, enniskerry, wicklow, ireland, postcard

Holmes Family, Ascot. WW1 memorabilia Autun, France holds a large commercial and agricultural fairs on 1 September known as St Ladre.Black and white postcards showing numerous cattle in penschatham-holmes family collection, postcard, ww1, france, autun, agriculture, agricutural show

The Albert Memorial Clock (more commonly referred to as the Albert Clock) is a clock tower situated at Queen's Square in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was completed in 1869 and is one of the best known landmarks of Belfast.A street is lined with four storey buildings and has a double decker tram running down it, and a large clock tower in the middle of an intersection. chatham-holmes family collection, belfast, ireland, postcard

A coloured depiction of the Killarney Lakes and the surrounding countryside.chatham-homes family collection, killarney, killarney lakes, county kerry, ireland

Hotel de Invalides is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, France, containing museums and monuments, all relating to the military history of France, as well as a hospital and a retirement home for war veterans, the building's original purpose. The buildings house the Musée de l'Armée, the military museum of the Army of France, the Musée des Plans-Reliefs, and the Musée d'Histoire Contemporaine, as well as the burial site for some of France's war heroes, notably Napoleon Bonaparte. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Invalides, accessed 14/07/2014)Interior of the Hotel de Invalides, Parischatham-holmes family collection, hotel des invalides, paris, world war one

Catherine Holmes married William Coghill Junior. William died in 1884. This is possibly a photo of Catherine in her mourning clothes. They had no children. His estate passed to Catherine. In 1886 Catherine accompanied by her brother, Edward Carter Holmes, Mr. Holmes a farmer at Ascot and her companion Mrs. Mark Gardiner [Gardner], wife of the contractor for laying down the wood pavement in Elizabeth- street, sailed for Queensland aboard the elegant steamship, ‘Ly-ee-Moon’ to visit her sister Adelaide Reid and purchase a property in the Darling Downs, Qld. Tragically all three, and the gold sovereigns they were carrying to purchase same, were lost when the steamship struck rocks and was wrecked off the rugged Green Cape Coast, just south of Bega, New South Wales [Jane Dyer, 15 June 2024]Black and white photograph of a seated woman wearing black clothing, a cap with centrally parted hair. The woman is Catherine Coghill (formerly Holmes), who married William Coghill Jnr. catherine coghill, catherine holmes, william coghill, william coghill junior, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, ly-ee-moon, mourning, shipwreck, women, pioneer women, family history

This card was most probably sent from Harry Holmes to a family member in Ascot, Victoria during his overseas service during World War One.Black and white postcard with a photographic impression of London including Trafalagar Square. The postcard has writing on the back. This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One and sent to his sister, Mary Coghill HolmesLondon 16.4.17 Dear Mary Received your welcome letter a few weeks back, pleased indeed to hear from you & to know that you were OK. Sorry I have been so long in answering it, but I suppose it is better late then never. Still in the same old job at present, but all 'A' class chaps are to go back to the units 20 per weeks, so it may not be very long before I will be having a move on, Girls seem to be taking the vacant gaps. chatham-holmes family collection, world war one, ascot, trafalgar square, london, holmes

The Weekly Times of 22 Feb 1919 reported: "Ballarat Men Return - A few motor car owners in Ballarat have regularly met returning soldiers and conveyed them and their relatives to their homes. Most constant of all In this respect have been Messrs D. Ronaldson and J. H. Davey, and Mrs W. D. Thompson, president, and Miss , Bell, secretary, of the Welcome Home Com mittee. A body has been organised to "control the work, as parties of soldiers. are returning with greater frequency. The photograph was most likely taken upon the return of Harry Holmes of Ascot around 24 June 1919. The Ballarat Courier of 25 June 1919 reported: "ASCOT RETURN OF SOLDIERS. Four more returned soldiers from this district arrived home this week, and word motored out from Ballarat on arrival of the train on Mondayevening last. They were Lance-Corporal H. Holmes, Driver Frank Thomas, Driver S. G. Spittle, and Driver Leslie Walter, the last named hailing from Coghill’s Creek. They were all members of the A.A.S.C., and have been on active service since 1915, and up to the signing of the armistice, which occurred while they were in France. They took part in the big. operations at Villers-Bretonneux, and also at Mont St. Quentin, and spent the terrible winter of 1916 on the Somme. An informal welcome awaited them on their homeward journey in the cars, a large number of friends greeting them on the roadside, where a large bonfire had been lit in their honor. An official welcome will be tendered them later on.Four black and white photographs of Lydiard Street North, Ballarat, with lines with people awaiting a parade. The parade includes soldiers in uniform on horseback. world war one, returned soldiers, welcome home committee, harry holmes, gordon spittle, leslie walter, frank thomas, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection

Lakes Entrance is a tourist resort and fishing port in eastern Victoria, Australia.Black and white photographic postcard showing a wave breaking over a large vessel, with the timber lakes entrance Pier in the foreground. chatham-holmes family collection, lakes entrance

Black and white photographic postcard showing 5 views including Col D'Allos, Col, de Vars, Col dela la Cayolle and Col D'oeoarochatham-holmes family collection, alps, france

Black and white photographic postcard showing a lake with mountains in the background. The view is in the Northern Italy pre-Alps.This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. chatham-holmes family collection, sogno, alps, italy, lombardy

Colour postcard showing a number of Venetian buildings surrounded by water.chatham-holmes family collection, venice, lagoon