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

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

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

Photograph of Dad who was Robert William Sewell (Bill) and Joe Smerdon standing in front of a four wheel tram, possibly in Wendouree Parade at Gardens Loop. Bill has a conductor's bag. The tram has a white bumper indicating that it was taken during or just after the Second World War. The tram has a destination of 'City'.Yields information about World War 2 tram crews and their uniforms.Black and white photograph Dad and Joe Smerdon on a working dayballarat tramways, tram crews, conductor, motorman, drivers, bill sewell, joe smerdon, world war 2, uniforms

This set of photographs was found behind photograph #20316 when it was removed from its frame. The people shown are not identified. Thought that one maybe David Holmes and another Bill Holmes.Three small photographs of three soldiers set in brown patterned framing. The left one may be Henry Smerdon Holmes.chatham-holmes collection, soldiers, world war one, henry john holmes, jack 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

Two young women pose in military uniform. One on the left is Edith Pickford of Clunes. Edith married Henry Smerdon Holmesworld war one, world war 1, world war i, chatham, chatham family collection, pickford, soldier, edith pickford, unform, music, women, clunes

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

Visitors to Smerdon's Greensborough Hotel corner Church and Grimshaw Streets GreensboroughFrom the John Mackey collection. this item was displayed at the offices of Ryan, Mackey and Kelly, solicitors, Main Street Greensborough.Timber-framed photograph of men outside a hotel, black and white.greensborough, john mackey, smertons hotel, greensborough hotel

Ismalia is a city in north-eastern Egypt. It would have been part of a booklet available during World War One. A black and white postcard showing a row of double storey housed behind a row of trees. This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. chatham-holmes family collection, ismailia, egypt, world war one, world war, ascot

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

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

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

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

Edith Louisa Cavell (4 December 1865 – 12 October 1915) was a British nurse and patriot. She is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from all sides without distinction and in helping some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during World War I, for which she was arrested. She was subsequently court-martialled, found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. Despite international pressure for mercy, she was shot by a German firing squad. Her execution received worldwide condemnation and extensive press coverage. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Cavell)Black and White postcard showing the memorial erected in Brussels to Edith Cavell. A portrait of Edith Cavell in nurses uniform is inset. This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. edith cavell, chatham-holmes family collection, nurse, world war one, world war, sculpture

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

Great Pulteney Street is a grand thoroughfare that connects Bathwick on the east of the River Avon with the City of Bath, England via the Robert Adam designed Pulteney Bridge. Famous former residents of the street have included the novelist Jane Austen and the anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce.A black and white postcard showing Great Pulteney Street in Bath. The street is lined with triple storey building. A fountain and small shelter is located in the foreground.This card was purchased by an Australian soldier, probably Henry Smerdon Holmes, during World War One. chatham-holmes family collection, bath, gret pulteney street, fountain

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

Henry John (Jack) Holmes of Ascot was the eldest son of Henry Smerdon and Edith (nee Pickford) Holmes and brother to William Smerdon [Bill], David Coghill and Elizabeth (m Chatham) On his return from serving in WW2, Jack with his father's help took up a Soldier Settler option and settled at Derrinallum on a portion of Mout Elephant. The holding was named "Launchley Park". Soldiers, like Jack with their families, helped swell the numbers in the district and aided the growth in the town and the services it could provide.Three photographs. .1) Black and white photograph of Henry John (Jack) Holmes from Ascot and then Derinallum .2) and .3) Jack Holmes. jack holmes, chatham-holmes collection, henry smerdon holmes, derrinallum, western desert ww2, soldier settlement, mount elephant

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

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

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. 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

On her husband, William's, death in 1914, Violet Holmes inherited 'Sauchieburn’ property in the Ascot District of the Wider Ballarat District, Victoria. Her ownership had descended via the Holmes Family from the pioneer district settler/squatter Captain William Coghill. In turn, the property on Violet's death was left to their family: Violet Spittle (nee Holmes), Mary Holmes, William E. Holmes and Henry Smerdon Holmes. I suspect this photo was sent to Violet Holmes Jnr (m Spittle) [Jane Dyer 2024]Photographic portrait of a girlVerso: Dear Mary, I am sending one of my photos and hope you will like it. Please get your taken and send me one and ask Violet and the boys also. Mother and Daphne send their love to all. From Iris.chatham-holmes family collection, family history, women

Edith Sarah Pickford was born and raised in Clunes, Victoria. She is the only daughter of John Pickford and Betsey (Robbins) Pickford and sister of Henry Pickford, John Pickford, William Harold Pickford, Horace Pickford DCM, Arthur Pickford and Charles Alexander Pickford. [ Research by Edith;s granduaghter Jane Dyer (nee Chatham)] Edith's maternal grandmother was a descendent of Donald Cameron, the first recorded European settler in the Clunes area.The Pickford family's pioneer settler legacy in the Clunes- Glendaruel district is commemorated with a Pickford Road and displays in the Clunes Museum. A collection of Edith's song music was donated to the Clunes Museum by her great grand-daughter in 2023. Edith married a local farmer, Henry Smerdon Holmes from "Sauchieburn" Ascot, Victoria. Henry was a descendant of the family who had inherited their maternal ancestor's, Catherine Coghill (nee Holmes), Ascot - Coghills Creek property. This branch of the Coghill Family descended from the district's pioneer settler, Captain Coghill. Edith and Henry spent all their married life, and raised 4 children Jack [John], Bill [William], [Mary] Elizabeth and David, at Ascot. She was buried in the Coghills Creek Cemetery with her husband, Henry Smerdon Holmes, and their son, David, in 1967. Her children, Bill Holmes and Elizabeth Chatham, and their spouses are buried nearby.Social and historicalMounted black and white photo of a young girl wearing a white dress and ribbon.chatham holmes collection, holmes, pickford

Newspaper Clipping from the Courier, Monday, 6/9/1971, titled "Last Journey for 39" - article on page 1 about the last tram from Mt. Pleasant, Conductor Herbie Smerdon, Driver Bill Tuddenham, written by Judy Graham. Article continues on page 2. See Reg Item 278.2 for a photo copy of this item from an earlier donation. See Reg Item 4179 for a photo of No. 39. Image i2 of part of page 2, added 10/9/2013 from donation of Dave Macartney. Second copy added 5/11/2018 from donation of Glenise Kellett. Location - original copy not in box 01-01-01 as at 20/1/2019, 2nd copy placed in 01-01-01.mt pleasant, closure, barkly st

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.

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