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

The Coghills were early settlers in the Ballarat district, with Coghill's Creek being named after them. .1) Three men pose for a studio photograph taken in Melbourne. From left to right the men are: Willie [Lawrence's son William Henry Carter Holmes (1867 - 1928)]; Edward Carter Holmes (1822 -1886); Lawrence Carter Holmes (1829 - 1935). .2) A man sits in a studio photograph taken in Ballarat. The man is Robert Reid who married Adelaide Helen Holmes in 1857. Adelaide was the sister of Catherine Dorothy Holmes who married William Coghill and lived at Coghill's Creek near Ballarat. .1) Verso: "Willie, Uncle Teddy and Father" .2) "I think this could be the same person as the one designated "Uncle Teddy" on the other photo. What do you think?" Photographer: Solomon and Bardwell. No.4938.holmes family archive, coghill, ballarat, william carter holmes, edward carter holmes, lawrence carter holmes, robert reid

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

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, Ascot. WW1 memorabiliaA photographic postcard showing two camels by a well being watched by a small boy.chatham-holmes family archive, camels, well, aden, ww1, postcard

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

Sophie Thomas assisted Elizabeth Chatham (nee Holmes) and her mother, Edith Holmes (nee Pickford) with household chores and child care at "Launchley" Ascot and at 15 Wendouree Parade, Ballarat during the 1950s - 1970s. Sophie was an important, loved member of the family.Small black and white photograph in oval frame with standsophie thomas, mary elizabeth chatham, family helper, launchley, 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. 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

William Smerdon Holmes married Violet Mary Macfie (1859 – 1942) on 9 April 1890 at Geelong. William and Violet lived at "Sauchieburn", Ascot on the 291 ha (720 acre) property that William inherited from his aunt Catherine Coghill (nee Holmes). William and Violet Holmes had four children: • Violet Catherine (1891- 1949) married Samuel Gordon Spittle 11 August 1920; Mary Coghill (1892 - 1979); • William Edward (1894 - 1964) married Charlotte Anne Alexander 20 June 1933; • Henry Smerdon (1897 - 1954) married Edith Sarah Pickford 28/2/1922. William Smerdon Holmes was the grandfather of Henry John (Jack) Holmes (1922-1972) William Smerdon Holmes (1927-1993), David Coghill Holmes (1929-1950) and Mary Elizabeth Chatham (Elizabeth) (nee Holmes) (1932 - 2006). William Smerdon Holmes died in June 1914 and is buried at the Ballarat New Cemetery. A black and white photograph glued into card. It shows a moustached man in coat, collar, tie and tie-pin. It is William Smerdon Holmeschatham family archive, chatham, holmes, william holmes, william smerdon holmes, ascot, sauchieburn

This item was located in a book called The English Lakes which was owned by E.C. Holmes [Edward Carter Holmes was the name of my mother's, Elizabeth Mary [Elizabeth] Holmes family's pioneer settler. He arrived in Geelong on the 28th of June, 1849, with his wife Sarah and their first child Frances Harriet as assisted immigrants (people whose passage was subsidised by an assisted immigration scheme) to New South Wales at Port Henry, Geelong in the sailing boat ‘Larpent’. Sarah and Edward arrived two years before his mother, Harriet, arrived as unassisted passenger in Geelong on ‘The Eagle’. 200 of the " Larpent" passengers had been selected in England by Rev John Dunmore Lang whose wish was to encourage the migration of hard-working, God-fearing Protestants to the colony. He sponsored two ships, the "Travancore" and the" Larpent', to bring the settlers to Australia in 1849 with Dr Alexander Thomson, a Sydney Presbyterian minister, ready to receive and settle them. Thomson owned section 10 of the parish of Barrabool known as the Kardinia section — a square mile of undulating land west of Colac, still known today as Larpent. Among the 'Larpent' immigrants were many well-known Ballarat and District pioneers including Armitage, Mercer, Oddie and Scott. For more details about this migration scheme refer to: A thoroughly Protestant emigration: the emigration activities of the Rev. Dr. J.D. Lang / Ian Wynd.2006.] [source: Jane Dyer 2024] Printed card with a pressed botanical specimen glued onto it. Printed onto the card 'Flowers from the Holy Land. Placed on the Holy Sepulchrechatham family archive, chatham, holmes, ec holmes. holy land, relic, botanical, botany, holy sepulchre, botanical specimen

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

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, ascot

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

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

The postcard was sent by Harry Holmes who was a member of the Australian Imperial Force based in Egypt at the time. He sent a number of postcards home to his family in Ascot, Victoria. 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) This photograph is significant because it was taken by a soldier (rather than an official war artist) and shows one of the daya to day activities experienced by Australian Soldiers in Egypt during World War One.A number of tents and soldiers in a dry landscape. They are Australian Soldiers At Metras, Egypt during World War One. Verso: 'Breaking Camp at Metras prior to making our departure from there on March 28th.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, harry holmes, world war, world war 1, world war one, world war i, metras, egypt

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

Harold Reid, dressed in Australian Army uniform poses for a photograph during World War One. Verso 'Harold Reid, taken at place where we have our maps printed.'chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, harold reid, reid

Harry Holmes and his battalion friends photographed aspects of their time on the Suez Canal, Egypt. 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) This photograph is significant because it was taken by a soldier (rather than an official war artist) and shows one of the day to day activities experienced by Australian Soldiers in Egypt during World War One.1) Four Australian soldiers during World War One in Egypt .2) Soldiers watch while two men 'fight' on a greasy pole during World War One .3) Australian soldiers stand at the grave of a German Officer at the Suez Canal, Egypt.2) Verso - "greasy Pole Fight" .3) verso: - Snap taken at grave of German officer killed in the first tussel (sic) with Turk at the Canalchatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, egypt, cam williamson, greasy pole, ship, vessel, burial

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, ascot

Black and White image of a donkey and cart covered with fabric and featuring the Red Cross Symble. It is an Indian Ambulance, Suez Canal.Verso: "An Indian Ambulance Cart with myself (Harry Holmes) at the donkey's head."8.7 x 14.0 cmchatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, ambulance, harry holmes, horse drawn waggon, egypt

Verso "Our horse lines at [censored in blue pencil - probably Serapeum]. Notice the camp in the background also the fine plantation."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, harry holmes

An image of a number of Australian Soldiers During World War One posing in front of tents in Egypt.Verso: "Our Camp at [censored with blue pencil - probably Sereapeum]. In the background can be seen the plantation which grows for miles along the [Suez] Canal, and for miles back you see masts of the shows in the Canal."chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, suez

Probably in Egypt, c1916Eleven Australian Soldiers during World War One. The soldiers belong to Harry Holmes' (of Ascot, Victoria) battalion.chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, world war, ascot

Image of two Australian soldiers in uniform during World War One. They are Joe Fawcett and Jack Nase.Verso: "Joe Fawcett and Jack Nase"chatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, fawcett, nase, joe fawcett, joseph fawcett, jack nase

Image of the French brothers posing from a photograph while dressed in the AIF uniform during World War One.Verso in pencil: "On the left is Sergeant French and on the right is Driver Frenchchatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france. french

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

Photograph of the Ascot boys who served with Harry Holmes at the front during World War One. Harry Holmes in the front. Ray Blight in centrechatham family archive, chatham, holmes, world war, world war 1, world war i, world war one, france, ray blight, harry holmes, ascot