Historical information

This Holmes Family photograph was taken in Elizabeth's parent's front garden at "Launchley" Ascot before her marriage to Philip, second son of Jack [John] and Jessie Imogene [Gene] Chatham (nee Furniss), on the 20 Feb 1957 at St Augustines Catholic Church's Creswick

L- R Eldest brother, Jack [John] Holmes, [Mary] Elizabeth Holmes, mother Edith Holmes, brother Bill [William Smerdon] Holmes.

Her father, Henry, and brother David were deceased. Jack Holmes "gave her away".

Jessie Imogene [Gene] Chatham ( nee Furniss 1901 - 1980) was the grand-daughter of Rosanna McFadden and Alexander Poynton, the 13th child of their eldest daughter Mary Jane Poynton. Philip Chatham was Gene's second eldest child.

Rosanna married Liverpool-born Alexander Poynton in the Free Church of Victoria in 1852. Alexander is reported to have been involved in the Eureka Rebellion, placing Rosanna at Ballarat in late 1854. The family moved about the Victorian Goldfields during the 1850s and early 1860s, before selecting a 240 acre property at Illabarook which they named

Rosanna’s first child Alexander, was a State and Federal Politican, holding the role of Treasurer in Billy Hughes government. He was awarded an OBE in 1920 for his work on WW1 repatriation issues. Fifth child Rosanna, married the Mayor of Brunswick and their son Sir Alexander George Wales was Lord Mayor of Melbourne between 1934 – 37. Finally, eleventh son John Joseph was Lord Mayor of Perth. [Jane Dyer (nee Chatham) 2025]

Physical description

Black and white photograph mounted on beige card.

Wedding photograph of M. Elizabeth Holmes with her mother Edith Holmes (nee Pickford) and brothers Jack (on left) and Bill on the occasion of her marriage to Philip Chatham. Taken in the front garden of the Holmes family home “Launchley” Ascot, Vic. Victoria

Inscriptions & markings

"John Smith Ballarat" signed at bottom on card