This property was purchased by Henry Smerdon and Edith Holmes for their eldest son, John Holmes and his wife Shirley, on John's return from WW2. Henry and Edith lived at "Launchley" Ascot via CreswickBlack and white images of farm stock at "Launchley Park", Derrinallum the property once owned by Henry John (Jack) Holmeschatham-holmes collection, farm, stock, cattle, angus, hereford, launchley park, derrinallum, henry john holmes, agriculture

Bill and Edith Holmes with their daughter Elizabeth. Mount Elephant, a dormant volcano is in the background. It is near Derrinallum where the family had a property, "Launchley Park"chatham-holmes collection, bill holmes, edith holmes, elizabeth holmes, derrinallum, mount elephant, volcano, launchley park

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

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

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