St John's Wood is a district of north-west London, in the City of Westminster, and at the north-west end of Regent's Park. The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery formerly resided at St John's Wood Barracks. The regiment moved to Woolwich on 6 February 2012; the barracks is to be demolished and developed as housing. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John's_Wood)A number of uniformed men pose for a photograph in front of a weatherboard building. The image is of the "A" Squad Cadets at St John's Wood Barracks, London.This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. Verso: "A" Squad Cadets. St John's Wood Barracks, London, 12th March 1917chatham family collection, chatham, world, war, world war one, world war 1, world war i, france, harry holmes, holmes, st john's wood

The Napoleonic Wars were a period of conflict from 1803-1815, caused by unresolved tensions following the end of the French Revolution. Coalitions of European powers fought against Napoleon Bonaparte and the French army, who were defeated at the Battle of Waterloo on the 18th June 1815, in Belgium. The conclusion of the battle would mark a period of sustained peace for Europe, that would bring with it cultural and technological innovation. This document in illustrative of the prize money awarded to different groups of soldiers following the Capture of Paris, separated into different classes. The first class consisted of General Officers, the second of Field Officers and Colonels, the third of Captains, the fourth of Subalterns, the fifth of Serjeants and the sixth of Corporals, Drummers and Privates. The Commander in Chief of the Army also received £61, 178/3/ 5 1/2. In addition to the money given to these classes, which approximately totaled £486,246 / 18/ 1 3/4, a total of £30,000 was paid to the Bank of England and £7,204 / 16/ 7 1/4 was paid to the Chelsea Hospital, to a grand total of £558,940/ 12/ 3. This money given to the Chelsea Hospital was part of the Army Prize Money Act 1814 (54th Geo. 3 c. 86, 14th July 1814), which when passed through parliament entailed that any prize money unclaimed or forfeited would be paid to the Chelsea Hospital. The Royal Hospital Chelsea is a charitable institution which provides support to war veterans and has existed since the reign of Charles II. The document goes into further details of the payments made to specific regiments, who include members of the British cavalry and artillery, rifleman, staff corps and foreign soldiers enlisted to aid with the campaign. The award of prize money following battle was meant to serve as an incentive for aggression and victory, in addition to helping deter looting of the deceased possessions. A paper watermark '1810' on the handwritten document suggests it is an original, and therefore was probably in the possession of a battle participant, most likely of a higher rank. The provenance of the document is unknown but one possibility is through former Ballarat School of Mines staff member Hester Darby, whose parents were Ernest Darby and Leah Hynam. Her maternal line boasted a Battle of Waterloo veteran. A number of handwritten pages 48 cm. x 34.5 cm. (slightly larger than A3) which has been folded in half, and in half again. When attempts were made to tape the torn document together, one page was taped in the wrong order. The top of the third page aligns with the bottom of the fourth page, the top of the fourth page with the bottom of the third. Corrections to this have been made in the transcript. DESCRIPTION ON DISCOVERY: "BALLARAT - Copy of an historic document of prize money paid after the battle of Waterloo and capture of Paris in 1815 has been found among old papers at the Ballarat School of Mines. The full amount of prize money was stated at "£558,913 10/10." Scores of regiments had their shares varying probably, according to the numbers. The document will be retained in the School of Mines Museum, ... (Age, 21 March 1941)The paper has an 1810 watermark on the paper as well as a watermark for S&C Wise. duke of wellington, waterloo, battle of waterloo, napoleon, napoleon bonaparte, british army, paris, darby, veteran, 1815, prize money, waterloo verterans, hester darby

129 page book with soft beige, brown and black cover depicting three soldiers at the front during World War One. The book includes many photographs and artwork of Australians at the French front from November 1917 until the end of the war. Photographers include Frank Hurley, E. Brooks, H.F. Baldwin and G.H. Wilkins. Artists include Crozier, W.L. King, Alan Lewis, Lothian, John Davis, S. Perks, I. Picking, Daryl Lindsay, Alf Saville, L.H. Howie, Stuart Shaw, P. Huthnance, Stiggo, S. Perks, C.H. Gould, Ted Canon, Bernie Bragg, S. Shaw, Will Dyson, An introduction is written by W. Birdwood, France, 28 September 1917. A number of pages have written notes on them by someone who had obviously been on the French Front. (These pages have been scanned and uploaded onto Victorian Collections. non-fictionPhotographic history of Australians during World War Onechatham family collection, chatham, world war one, world war 1, world war i, france, trenches, front line, birdwood, mark ridgeay, harold williamson, flanders, poziers, somme, becourt, mouquet farm, rupert whiteley, ypres, montauban, field cooker, gueudecourt, band, bapaume, bullecourt, h. murray, hindernburg wire, messines, howitzer, w. holmes. canon, ted canon, hill 60, gas masks, siege battery, menin road, ambulance, dressing station, glencorse wood, prisoners, pigeons, australian commonwealth military forces, sgs, chatham - holmes family archive

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 https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51448 He was a Driver with the 4th D.A.C.https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51219 According to his Soldier's Pay Books (Cat. No. 20112) Holmes Registration number was 7983. He was Catholic and enlisted in the Third Military District on 17 September 1915, and embarked on 8 November 1915. Holmes was in the 18th AASC Unit with the rank of Driver at that time. On 15 November 1918 Holmes was promoted to Lance Corporal. He received leave on: * 3 August 1917 - London (10 days) * 19 February 1918 - Paris (10 days) * 27 August 1918 - London (14 days) In 1922 Harry married Edith Pickford of 'Yeovil', Clunes, and they lived at 'Sauchieburn' with Henry's brother Willie. In 1933 Harry and Edith built a new timber home 'Launchley' (Ascot) on the rise east of 'Sauchieburn' on the Ballarat - Maryborough Road. The home was built by Con Zilles to the designs of Clegg and Morrow. In 1938 Harry and Edith purchased a property at Derrinallum, Victoria and called it 'Launchley Park' on their first son's return from World War 2. In 1953 Harry purchased William and Charlotte's portion of 'Sauchieburn' for his son, Bill, and daughter-in-law Margaret. [Source: Unpublished notes by Jane Dyer ( nee Chatham)]Sepia photographic postcard of a World War 1 Australian soldier in uniform, Henry Smerdon Holmes from Ascot Victoria.Verso in pen "The boys say this isn't to (sic) bad so it will show you any changes. Heaps of love to all. Harrychatham, chatham family collection, holmes, harry holmes, henry holmes, smerdon, world war, world war 1, world war i, uniform

Ernest William Dark was born at Ballarat East. Before his enlistment on 10 April 1915, aged 19, Dark was a boot salesman. His next of kin on the enlistment papers was his mother Sarah Dark of 40 Bridge Street, Ballarat East. Ernest Dark was a very early World War One enlistment with the regimental number of 19A. He was a member of the 6th Field Ambulance. Black and white photograph of soldiers pushing an ambulance through the mud during World War One. The scene is most probably in France. Verso: "Dear Miss Holmes, I am sending this P.C. to thank you for a pair of sox which I received from the red cross, (sic) with a note inside on which was your your name and address. My unit, the 6th Aus. Field Ambulance, had received quite a lot of red cross goods from the Ballarat district, and I am writing to let you know how much the boys appreciate them. Please accept my best thanks. Yours sincerely. Pte E.W. Darkchatham, chatham family collection, ernest dark, dark, world war one, world war i. world war 1, ambulance

Frank Anthony Thomas was born at Daylesford and enlisted at Ballarat. On his enlistment papers of 9 August 1915, his next of Kin was Saul Thomas of Ascot, Victoria. This photo was found with a number of other World War One material associated with the Holmes family of Ascot, Victoria. Black and white photographic portrait of a World War One soldier in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). It is Frank A. Thomas. Verso "Sincerely yours F.A. Thomas, France March 1918."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, frank anthony thomas

Ray Blight from Ballarat, Victoria was an Australian soldier during World War One. John Raymond (Ray) Blight enlisted on 19 July 1915. He was an electrical engineer, having studied at the Ballarat School of Mines. On 23 June 1916 Ray Blight disembarked at Marseilles. On 3 February 1917 he was hospitalised with scabies. Ray Blight's next of kin was his mother, Mary Jane Blight of 116 Lyons Street South, Ballarat. This photograph was with a number of other World War One photos relating to the Holmes family of Ascot, Victoria.Black and white photographic portrait of Ray Blight a soldier of the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). Verso "Sincerely Yours Ray Blight France 1918."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, blight, ray blight, france

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. [Jane Dyer May 2024] Black and white photograph showing eight men outside a tent. They are most probably World War One soldiers in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF). 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 including a Wrigley son, Ascot State School classmates and football mates from Clunes / Creswick districts. The man in the front row, second from the right is probably my great-grandfather Henry [Harry] Holmes. The man far left in the back row is probably his cousin, Samuel Gordon Spittle [Jane Dyer 2024]harry holmes, world war one, tent, aif, soldiers, uniform, henry smerdon holmes, sauchieburn, ascot, postcard

This item was created while on service during World War One. A group of eight uniformed Australian soldiers casually dressed while posing for a photograph. The image was taken at Serapeum during World War One.Verso "Group taken at Serapeum, left to right front row, Frank S., Jack Nase, Joe Fawcett, B.R., H.H. Gordon, Theo Jones at back, Harold Holmes, Reid, Les Walters.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, nase, fawcett, gordon, theo jones, reid, h.reid, harry holmes, walters, gordon spittle, joe fawcett, joseph fawcett, harold holmes, les walters

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

Australian soldiers unload the ration launch at Serapeum..1) Verso - Ration launch being unloaded at Serapeum. .2) Verso - 'Joe and Harry in front taken after stoking down the fold on Bakara.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, serapeum, bakara

This photo was taken at Ferry Post, Suez Canal. .2) Two Australian Soldiers around a camp fire at Ferry Post boil a billy for tea..1) Verso: Harry [Holmes] and Gordon [Spittle] make afternoon tea for Cam, who snaps them in tea-making operation. (Ferry Post, Ismailia, Egypt). .2) S.G.S. [S. Gordon Spittle] and Harry [Holmes] making coffee to entertain Cam Williamson on his first visit to our camp. The hat hides Harry's face. These snaps are taken by Cam's Kodak."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, suez, ferry post, billy tea

This photograph was with a number of others associated with Harry Holmes of Ascot, Victoria. The postcard was written on by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. Nurse Kirkham is Laurie Hemsley Kirkham She was admitted to the Suez Public Hospital (Abbassia) post 06 January 1916. She left Australia with a group of South Australian nurses. 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) The Nurse Kirkam mentioned by the writer is probably Sarah Alice Kirkham, Staff Nurse with the Australian Army Nursing Service. Nurse Kirkham was from North Perth, Western Australia. She was posted to the Auxiliary Hospital, Egypt on 09 November 1915 leaving for France on 23 June 1916. Samuel Gordon Spittle (8005) enlisted into the AIF on 17 July 1915, a member of the 18th Australian Army Service Corps (AASC). He left Alexandria on 15 June 1916 disembarking at Marseilles 24 June 1916. Harry Holmes was discharged from a hospital in Egypt on 15 August 1919. He was awarded the Military Medal promulgated on 11 December 1919. (NAA: B2455, Spittle Samuel Gordon) Not only does this photograph portray life in Egypt during World War War, it highlights the role played by members of the Australian Army Nursing Service in both professional and social activities in the theatre of war.Two Australian nurses and a number of Australian soldiers in Hospital Uniform pose for a photograph in Egypt during World War One. Verso: "A little group of Australians at Suez Hospital Joe F[awcett] & I [Gordon Spittle] are standing in the back row with Nurse Kirkham standing between, she is on the short side so stood on a box. Gordon S."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, gordon spittle, kirkham, suez, egypt, samuel gordon spittle, joe fawcett, laurie kirkham, nurse kirkham, suez hospital, laurie helmsley kirkham, l.a. kirkham, harry holmes, nurses

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) Image of two uniformed Australian soldiers guarding a temporary gaol at Metra during World War One.Verso: 'Clink or jail at Metra. Gordon [Spittle] in the centre and Jim and George Hobill on guard.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, hobill, metras, egypt

The toy soldier is a relic from the shipwreck of the LOCH ARD in 1878. It has a companion piece in the Flagstaff Hill collection. The toy soldier is unpainted, but the style of uniform, and the weapons carried (a musket and a basket-handled cutlass), indicate it is a representation of the Napoleonic Wars period from the beginning of the nineteenth century. Mass-produced toy soldiers made of cast metal (lead or tin) became popular during the 1800s. Heyde of Germany manufactured silhouette-shaped ‘flats’ early in the century; then Mignot of France released three-dimensional ‘solids’; and later (1893) Britain of England made ‘hollow cast’ figures. These innovations were designed to make sets of toy soldiers more affordable for middle and lower-class children, extending the market beyond the intricately made and hand-crafted replicas that were the preserve of the rich in the eighteenth century. Wooden military figures, specially carved and unpainted ones, were therefore not particularly common at the time when the LOCH ARD went down on Victoria’s southwest coast. Mignot was the first to sell unpainted soldiers, leaving their customers to fill in the colours according to their own patriotic preferences. If a similar attitude is assumed for the two virtually identical figures in the Flagstaff Hill collection, it is possible they were part of a new set intended for sale, rather than part of a passenger’s existing collection. A similarly light composite material of sawdust, glue and linseed oil (press-moulded onto a metal frame) was used by the German firm O & M Hausler to create toy soldiers, but this type of modelling was not commercialised until after 1912. The first heat-moulded plastic toy soldiers did not become available until after 1945.The toy soldier represents a 19th century child's interest in military history. The item is one of two toy soldiers recovered from the Loch Ard that are in Flagstaff Hill's collection. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register ( S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck of which the subject items are a small part. The collections objects give us a snapshot of how we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's social and historical themes of the time. Through is associated with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history.An unpainted replica or toy soldier, presented in a Napoleonic Wars era uniform. The moulded figure is in a standing posture and is bearing a musket at the slope-arms position, with a sabre or cutlass slung behind. It wears a plumed helmet, short-fronted coat with longer buttoned tails at the back, button-fastened bib-front trousers, a pair of crossed bandoliers, and tasselled shoulder epaulettes. The figure is a creamy colour with red-brown stains on the head and shoulder. There is a hole in the end of the musket. The model is detailed and sharp. It was recovered from the wreck of the Loch Ard.Cataloguing numbers: “6599” on the rear of the left trouser leg “PWO 2308” on the sole of the left boot, (partially obscuring “R122” written in biro) “2218” on the sole of the right boot.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, loch ard, flagstaff hill maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, loch line, napoleonic uniform, toy soldier, replica soldier

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

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

This postcard was most probably sent to Australia by an Australian soldier during World War One. Black and white postcard showing Versailles, France. Parc du Palais De Versailles - Les Alles de l'Orangerieworld war one, versailles, france, chatham-holmes collection

This postcard was sent from France during World War One WW1 to Violet Holmes [mother and aunty of other WW1 soldiers], by the son of a neighbouring Ascot Tourello District Family, the Wrigley Family. Violet inherited "Sauchieburn" an Ascot property on the death of her husband William Holmes in 1914. On her death this property was to be left to their 4 children and administered by a relative till the youngest child turned 27. As young boys, Violet's husband William, and his brother Henry, lived with their Aunt Catherine Coghill and Uncle William Coghill at ‘Sauchieburn’ Ascot. The Coghills had no children of their own. He and his brother Edward started a stock and station business at Clunes. Henry and Violet Holmes subsequently inherited "Sauchieburn" from Catherine (nee Holmes) and William Coghill, direct descendants of the Coghills Creek, Ascot, Tourello pioneer settler Captain William Coghill [Jane Dyer, May 2024] Catherine and her brother Edward Carter Holmes drowned at sea.This is an extract from the Korumburra Times, Wednesday June 6, 1956: The fated travellers wrecked off N.S.W. ‘On May 29th, 1886 in bright moonlight the Ly-e-Moon, the pride of the Australian coastal fleet, broke her back on the treacherous rocks of Green Cape, off the NSW coast. Eighty souls perished within range of the beacon rays of the lighthouse, including representatives of the earliest families ever to settle in Poowong. The passengers. On the main deck, Mr Edward Holmes, a Poowong grazier and former owner of ‘Wombalano’. He had sold this property with the object of going to Queensland and settling there. The proceeds of sale amounting to 1,200 pounds in gold sovereigns were under lock and key in the Purser's Office. Mr Holmes, although advanced in years, had unformed plans to invest his money in some Queensland enterprise. In the meantime he would visit his married daughter and [his] two sons, who had previously settled in Queensland. With him on board was his widowed sister Mrs Coghill who had also accepted an invitation to go north. News of the shipwreck, means of communication being slow, did not reach Korumburra for nearly a week. By then all hope had been abandoned for the missing. Relations and friends thronged the Melbourne shipping office, but the answer was always the same - All passengers unaccounted for were presumed drowned. Black and white postcard of a sugar refinery in The Somme, France. The name of the town has been scrubbed out in purple pencil by a censor during World War One. The back of the card is written on in pencil,Written on back of card: Dear Violet, received photos and letters and thank you for forwarding same. Are we having lovely spell of weather. This morning is quite warm and pleasant. The photo of you all standing in front of your house is a good one and you all look to be getting enough to eat. Mother looks as if she it getting stronger after her severe illness. Your concert party will be broken up through the Vale girls leaving but you should have no difficulty in finding volunteers to fill the ranks. By all of your letters you are all looking forward to the day we return 9as we are). I wouldn't like to bet too much that we would be home by this time next year [ ? ] by the way fritz is fighting lately he would very much like to get [peace?] I think we will give him all he wants this summer. J. Waller was here last night is looking well. With best wished to you all. I am sincerely. [W.Wrigbee? Wrigley]somme, la suererie, chatham family collection, amiens, france, world war 1, postcard, ly-ee-moon, william coghill junior, ascot victoria, pioneers of ascot, shipwreck

An Australian WW1 soldier's memorabiliaA black and white postcard showing a double storey brick school with two girls standing at the front.402 - Contalmaison - Ecole Communales - The Schoolchatham-holmes collection, maison, contalmaison, school, education, france, world war one

Westouter Churchyard and Extension is located 12 Kms south-west of Ieper town centre, on a road leading from the N375 Dikkebusseweg. The village of Westoutre (now Westouter) remained in Allied hands from the early months of the First World War to the Armistice, but in the summer of 1918, after the Battles of the Lys, it was within 2.4 Kms of the front line. The Churchyard and Extension was used by field ambulances and fighting units at intervals from November 1914 to September 1918. It contains 98 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and three German graves.(http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/ww1cemeteries/westouterchurchyardandextension.htm, accessed 11/07/2014) The only Australian buried at the Westoutre churchyard and extension is Gunner J. GRANT (2420) 30/09/1917 Australian Heavy Artillery Australian II. F. 12. (http://www.ww1cemeteries.com/ww1cemeteries/westouterchurchyardandextension.htm, accessed 11/07/2014)A WW1 Australian soldier's memorabiliaBlack and white postcard of a church at WestoutreUitgever: Sansen-Vannest, Poperinghe Westoutre - De Kerk - L'Eglise - Churchwestoutre, westouter, chatham-holmes family collection, france, church

WW1 Australian soldier Holmes Famiiy memento. Estaires is a town and commune in the Department of the Nord, about 11 kilometres west of Armentieres. The Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension is on the eastern outskirts of the town and on the east side of the road to Bailleul. Estaires town was occupied by French cavalry on the 15 October 1914, and passed at once into British hands. On the 10 April 1918 it was captured by the enemy, after an obstinate defence by the 50th (Northumbrian) Division; and it was finally retaken by British troops at the beginning of September 1918. The town was a Field Ambulance centre as early as November 1914, and later the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station was posted in it. (http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/26801/ESTAIRES%20COMMUNAL%20CEMETERY%20AND%20EXTENSION, accessed 11/07/2014)Australian soldier's WW1souvenirA black and white postcard with buildings along a river at Estaires in Northern France.estaires communal cemetery and extension, estaires, france, chatham-holmes family collection, 1st australian casualty clearing station, postcard

WW1 Australian soldier Holmes Famiiy memento.Black and white postcard sowing the interior of a church at Messines, France. A large altar dominated the image. chatham-holmes family collection, messines, church, altar, postcard

Holmes Family WW1 memorabilia. 06 Apr 1916 - The Battle of St Eloi Craters, Canadian Expeditionary Forces Major Operation. “… the British had been patiently tunnelling since August (1915) at nearby St Eloi, about three miles south of Ypres, and adjacent to the Canadian trenches. Throughout the winter, the tunnelling crept ever closer to a dominant German-held feature dubbed “The Mound.” When the tunnels were completed in early March, tons of explosives were emplaced in six locations and on March 27, 1916, at 4:14 a.m. the charges were set off. Two German companies were wiped out and large sections of the German trenches were destroyed, but the British 9th Brigade’s attack faltered and became a bloody close-quarters slugging match, with the last bomb crater captured only on April 3.” (Zuehlke, Mark. Daniel, C. Stuart. The Canadian Military Atlas. The Nation’s Battlefields from the French and Indian Wars to Kosovo. Stoddart Publishing Co. Limited. Toronto. 2001 p. 125)A number of World War One soldiers, members of the Northumberland Fusiliers celebrate after the battle of St Eloi. Some or wear tin helmuts.The "Fighting Fifth" (Northumberland Fusiliers) after the battle of St Eloi"chatham-holmes family collection, fighting fifth, northumberland fusiliers, tunneling, explosion, crater, world war one, postcard

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

R.H. Pottinger served with the Australian Imperial Force during World War One. Framed certificate of discharge made out to R.H. Pottinger, and signed by George R. J. Rupert was born in Sydney the son of Henry Pottenger of 'Ripley' 11 Cotham Road, Kew. Rupert Pottenger served with the 2nd Field Company Engineers. On 03 August 1818 he was awarded the Military Medal. Rupert Pottinger's service number was no. 29. He served in Galipolli and France. V4075r. pottenger, world war one, australian imperial force, rupert pottenger, kew, bernard partridge, beaments art gallery, rupert pottinger, rupert henry pottinger

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

Attached to his R.S.L. Membership Card along with the funeral notice, is a subsequent newspaper article written at the time of Walter West's death, which reads: Death of Pioneer Settler/ A pioneer settler of/ the Red Cliffs irigation/ district and one of the/ last men to be evacuated/ from Gallipoli, died sud/denly on Saturday night/ aged 84./ In 1922 Mr. Watler Thomas/ West came to Red Cliffs/ where he established Block/ 86 in the irrigation district./ He lived there until his/ death on Saturday after playing bowls at the Red/ Cliffs rinks on Saturday/ afternoon./ Mr. West was born in Jeparit and served with the/ 24th Battalion in Egypt and/ Gallipoli./ He was awarded the Mili/tary Medal in France in/ 1917 and the Military Cross/ in 1918 when he captured/ single handed an enemy/ machine gun post./ He settled at Red Cliffs/ on his return when the/ area was placed under irri-/gation./ For 25 years he operated/ a unique partnership with/ the late Mr. Martin Nippe, his adjoining property/ owner. The pair pooled their/ horticultural equipment for/ joint use./ Mr. West joined Mildura/ Legacy in 1942 and was an/ active member until his/ death./ The funeral will be held at the United Church, Red/ Cliffs this morning at 10.30Type written obituary, presumably used when Walter West,MC,MM, died.Walter West MC,MM/ Red Cliffs residents were saddened to learn of the sudden passing on Saturday last/ of Walter Thomas West MC,MM., a Pioneer/settler and well respected citizen./ "Wal" as he was affectionately known, was/ born at Dandenong some 84years ago./ He served with distinction in World War 1/ with 24th Battalion. He was an original ANZAC, and also saw service in/ Egypt and France. He received two awards for gallantry in the field - The Military/ Medal in France 1917 and the Military Cross in France/ in 1918 when he was responsible for the/ single handed capture of an enemy gun and crew./ He was an original soldier settler and developed/ his fruit block in Red Cliffs which is still/ operated by his son Tom. In 1922 he/ became an original Trustie of the Methodist/Church and was the last surviving original/ Trustie. He served on the Board of/ directors of the Red Cliffs Co-Operative Co.Ltd/ from 1954 to 1967, and was Chairman of Directors/ in 1963 and 1964. He showed a keen interest/ in youth activities and some excellent cricketers/ were produced as a result of his coaching of/ the Methodist Junior Cricket Team. He was an/ active and keen member of Mildura Legacy/ for 34 years, serving as President in 1947 and 1948./ He was secretary of the Cemetary Trust for many years, served on the Hospital Committee/ was a member of Memorial Lodge, a member of Red Cliffs Senior Citizens Club and a /member of Red Cliffs Sub-Branch R.S.L. since / it's inception./ He was a keen member of the Red Cliffs/ Bowling Club and took part in a club event on/ the day of his passing./ It was the pioneer settler and men with ability/ and initiative of Walter West that brought/ out the Community Spirit which resulted in/ the Red Cliffs we know today.1918, 1917, ww1, walter, thomas, west, mm, mc, 24th, battalion, aif, gallipoli, bullecourt

This short history is in a display of photos and a copy of a letter written home by Sgt Carroll to his Aunt.A brief written life history from birth to death of William Carroll service Number 815. As written by a member of Red Cliffs R.S.L. in consultation with the family.Born in Wangaratta in 1891, was a drover and boundary rider in Queensland when enlisted.Sgt. Carroll was one of the original members of the 21st Battalion, 6th Brigade, 1st AIF, which was formed at Broadmeadows early 1915. The battalion embarked from Melbourne on the Uylsses on the 8th May 1915 enroute to the Middle East. Saw action Middle East> Gallipoli>Middle East to reform and reorganise > Western Front> Somme> Bullecourt> Ypres> Somme> Mont St. Quentin> Villiers Bretonneux> Hamel Mutiny./ Sgt. Carroll was twice wounded in action (at Fluers and Broondseinde)and was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, with a Sgt Cozens (No 825 also original member, on the 15th September 1916, for exceptional zeal in the performance of their duties and coolness in action, which had a great affect on the moral of their mem. He was discharged medically unfit with gun wounds to his left knee and back. Of the full Battalion strength of the original Officers and men, there were 16 Officers and 24 Or's left. 21st Battalion left buried on foreign soil 47 Officers and 827 Or's. It was the highest decorated Battalion of the 6th Brigade. Listed are some of the Battles and Misfortunes that Sgt. Carrol survived to return to Australia. Torpedoed on the troop ship Southland enroute to Gallipoli 1915;/ First Australian troops to Garrison Cairo; First Australian Infantry Unit into line in France; Last out of the line; Staging a successful mutiny; 21st Battalion was disbanded in 1918. Sgt. Carroll was given block 276 Red Cliffs, he sold his block in 1982. He was interested in Community affairs and was involved in ADFA, RSL, Mildura Club, and Mildura Show Society and was the third last Red Cliffs Soldier Settler to die. He was in his 100th year.medal, distinguished, battalion, aif, 21st, 6th, brigade, 1st, mutiny, gallipoli, wangaratta, 1891, boundary, rider, ulysses, middle, east, western, front, conduct