HENRY SMERDON (Harry) HOLMES was born 9 May 1897 at 'Sauchieburn’, Ascot, 17 km north of Ballarat, to William Smerdon and Violet Mary (nee MacFie) Holmes. He was the youngest of four children. After finishing his education at St Patrick’s College, Ballarat, Henry joined the family farming interests. At the age of 18 he enlisted and served with AIF in Egypt, France and Belgium 1915-1918 as a Driver with the 4th D.A.C.https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51219 . Henry served at the famous battlegrounds of Ypes and Somme in the Australian Army 8th Battalion https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/U51448 In 1922 Harry married Edith Sarah Pickford of 'Yeovil', Clunes, and they lived at 'Sauchieburn' with Henry's brother Willie (William Smerdon). In 1933 Harry and Edith built a home 'Launchley’ at Ascot, located east of 'Sauchieburn' on the Ballarat - Maryborough Road. The home was built by Con Zilles to the design of Clegg and Morrow. In 1938 Harry and Edith purchased a property at Derrinallum, Victoria and called it 'Launchley Park’ and farmed by their eldest son Jack (Henry John). In 1953 Harry purchased William and Charlotte Holmes's portion of ‘Sauchieburn,’ Ascot for his second son, Bill (William Smerdon). (Source: Mary Holmes, author of A Suitable Immigrant: Edward Carter Holmes.) Photograph of Henry Smerdon (Harry) Holmeschatham-holmes collection, henry smerdon holmes

Framed photograph of Henry Smerdon HolmesFramed photograph of Australian Army Servicemanchatham-holmes collection, holmes family, australian army, henry smerdon holmes, harry holmes, henry holmes, slouch hat, uniform, herbert werner frederick de nully

Soft covered book of 242 pages. This book is a chronology of Gordon Spittle's war, what happens to him, where he goes and the people he meets. Spittle served with the 18 Company Australian Army Service Corps (AASC). Gift of Major Neil Leckie RFD (Ret'd)australian army service corps, s. gordon spittle, gordon spittle, world war one, ascot, allendale, william brazenor, harold joseph reid, james leslie sim, les sim, harry smerdon holmes, leslie john walter, jack nase, ray blight, john joseph nase, john raymond blight, frank thomas, baupaume, amiens, messines, somme, roy jackson, les vernon, violet spittle, leslie sim, harry holmes, violet holmes

This book is part of a collection of books, photos and memorabilia donated from the Chatham-Holmes family collection. The book belonged to Harry Holmes.A hard covered, fawn coloured book with art deco decorations printed on the front cover along with the title and author, The Obstacle Race by Ethel M. Dell. The spine has been removed and a paper binding has been pasted in place.The book is 303 pages long and was owned by Harry Smerdon Holmesharry holmes, chatham-holmes family collection, the obstacle race, ethel m. dell

Most probabaly purchased by Harry Holmes.World War One official war postcard showing Australians inUnifrom with guns and helmets. On back "These are the men who shortly after midnight on Sunday, July 23, 1916, took Pozieres by a splendidly dashing advance through shrapnel, shell and machine-gun fire.world war one, australian soldiers, pozieres, harry holmes, henry smerdon holmes

David Coghill Holmes (1929- 1950) of Ascot was the youngest brother of Henry John (Jack), William Smerdon (Bill) and Mary Elizabeth Holmes (m M. E. Chatham 1932 - 2006) and son of Henry (Harry} Smerdon and Edith Holmes (nee Pickford)Black and white photograph of a man in coat, collar and tie. He is David Coghill Holmes as a young man. The Holmes family lived at Ascot, Victoria.harry holmes, ascot, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes collection

Postcard sent from the French theatre of war during World War One by Harry Holmes. 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 Henry's grand-daughter, Jane Dyer nee Chatham) White postcard with embroidery on white silk. The embroidery includes 5 flags (England, France, Italy, Belgium, Russia), a blue horseshoe, a green sprig rosemary and the words 'United We Stand".Verso: With best love from Harry 13/5/16chatham, chatham family collection, holmes, harry holmes, henry holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one.

Chu Chin Chow is a musical comedy written, produced and directed by Oscar Asche, with music by Frederic Norton, based (with minor embellishments) on the story of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. Tickets to see Chu Chin Chow were particularly eagerly sought by troops on leave from the Western Front. One of the attractions for the on-leave soldiers was the chorus of pretty slave girls who, for the period, were very scantily dressed. The cast was large and included a camel, a donkey, poultry and snakes. A total of 2,800,000 people saw the show. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chu_Chin_Chow) It is thought that Harry Holmes attended 'Chu Chin Chow' while on leave in London during World War One. Around this time he had been serving in the Australian Imperial Forces in Egypt. Henry 'Harry' Holmes was the son of Violet Holmes. He enlisted under the name Harry Smerdon Holmes and was put into the 18th A.A.S.C., then later transferred into the 5th Division Train A.S.C. 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) Research: Henry Holmes' grandaughter, Jane Dyer (nee Chatham) White paper theatre programme with red and black writing. It is a publicity brochure from the play 'Chu Chin Chow' by Oscar Asche set to music by Frederic Norton. In black ink in front 'So far this is an easy first of the shows I've seen, The scenes are great and being Egyptian we understand them all the better'. chatham family collection, holmes, theatre, world war 1, world war, world war i, herbert tree, entertainment, music, musical, oscar asche, fred norton

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

Soldier Harry Holmes of Ascot, Victoria sent this postcard to his family while serving in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) in 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. 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 Jane Dyer) White Postcard with embroidery on white silk. The embroidery features green ivy leaves and red berries, and the words "Happy Christmas".Verso "All good wishes to all the dear ones at home for a happy Xmas and a bright New Year from Harry 11/11/16."chatham - holmes family archive, chatham, holmes, harry holmes, world war, world war 1, world war one, world war i, france, christmas

This photo taken in 1917 was 5 years before Edith Sarah Pickford (1909 - 1967) of ''Yeoville" Clunes married Henry Smerdon [Harry] Holmes of "Sauchieburn" Ascot in 1922. At the time it was fun, fashionable and symbolic to have photo portraits taken in a clown outfit: Pierrot (Boy) with black skull caps and Columbine (Girl) with pointed hats. Pierrot, the famous character from the Italian commedia dell'arte, was portrayed by the composer A. Schoenberg as the moonstruck and fantastical clown, who is a symbol for putting on a mask to hide one's true feelings or opinions. Edith was the second youngest child, and only daughter, of John and Bessie (Robbins) Pickford, Clunes farmers. Edith’s brother, Arthur Pickford rode in the Charge of the Battle of Beersheba, a precursor to capturing Gaza in WW1. The matter of who rode in the charge at Beersheba on 31 October 1917 continues to exercise the minds of many. The charge is embedded in the Australian ethos along with Gallipoli and the Kokoda Track. [ Source: Edith's granddaughter, Jane Dyer 2024]Black and white photograph in rectangular frame with stand. Back of frame padded velvet"Sincerely yours - Edith"edith pickford, edith holmes, chatham-holmes collection, pickford collection, pierrot and columbine, portrait photograph, ww1

Australian World War One Soldier memento. This postcard was possibly sent home from France during World War One, most probably from Harry Holmes of Ascot, Victoria. 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 and Tourello lads and district connections: neighbours (including a Wrigley boy), Ascot State School classmates and football mates from Clunes / Creswick districts. (Research by Jane Dyer) Postcard with embroidered detail on white silk, with top flap. The central embroidery depicts two small soldiers dressed in brown outside a gate leading to house in a peaceful setting surrounded by trees. Below is a blue embroidered "Best Compliments" and red embroidered garland of red flowers.chatham family collection, chatham, world, war, world war one, world war 1, world war i, france, harry holmes, holmes, embroidery, postcard

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

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

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

This card was most probably purchased by Harry Holmes while on service with the Australian Imperial Forces during World Way One.Black and white postcard showing a three story brick building. It is the Watter-mill, Le Moulin, Somme. This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. chatham - holmes family archive, chatham, holmes, harry holmes, world war, world war 1, world war one, world war i, france, somme, wtter-mill, meaulte, le moulin, amiens, aif

Harry Holmes was from Ascot and was a member of the 18th Company Australian Army Service CorpsPhotograph of a ship the canal.A British monitor passing through the canal (blued out be censor)harry holmes, ship, canal, world war one, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, henry smerdon holmes

Harry Holmes was from Ascot and was a member of the 18th Company Australian Army Service CorpsPhotographic post card of a British Battleship sailing down the canal.A British Battleship sailing down the canalharry holmes, ship, canal, world war one, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, henry smerdon holmes, ascot

Harry Holmes was from Ascot and was a member of the 18th Company Australian Army Service CorpsPhotographic post card of an Australian troopship.An Australian Troopship, A 55, passing up the Canal.harry holmes, ship, canal, world war one, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, kyarra, henry smerdon holmes

Harry Holmes was from Ascot and was a member of the 18th Company Australian Army Service Corps. Photographic post card of the troopship Bahara A41This is the old "Bahara", A 41, passing down the canal on the way back to Australia. bakara troopship, harry holmes, world war one, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, henry smerdon holmes

Harry Holmes was from Ascot and was a member of the 18th Company Australian Army Service CorpsColoured painting by A.R. Quinton on a post card from post war England.harry holmes, ship, canal, world war one, holmes family collection, chatham-holmes family collection, henry smerdon holmes

Probably taken at a Holmes family property: "Launchley' or 'Sauchieburn" at Ascot, Ballarat District or "Launchley Park", Derrinallum in the Western District. The latter property was a property Harry and Edith Holmes purchased in 1938 on the return of their eldest son, John Henry [Jack], from WW2. David looks to be wearing his St Patrick's Christian Brother College, Ballarat school uniform. [Jane Dyer, May 2024]Photograph of three children. L- R Mary Elizabeth Holmes, ? [ nephew David Smerdon Holmes] and ? [ brother David Coghill Holmes]chatham-holmes collection, mary elizabeth holmes, ww2, derrinallum, ascot victoria