Reginald Holmes

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 13/09/2017 - 12:19

First Name:

Reginald

Last Name:

Holmes

Date of Birth:

Sunday, April 3, 1898

Mother's Name:

Ansley Holmes nee Lusted

Father's Name:

Thomas Holmes

Date Enlisted:

Monday, March 6, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

56th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Friday, May 10, 1957

Place of Death:

Branxton, N.S.W.

Details:

Reginald Holmes (Service No 944) was born in Helensburgh, N.S.W.

At enlistment Reginald was single, 19 years old, worked as a farm labourer and lived in Branxton, N.S.W., and had served 12 months with the Militia.

He embarked from Sydney on HMAT A72 Beltana with 36th Battalion, C Company on 13th May 1916. He arrived in England on 9th July 1916 then joined 56th Battalion in France on 26th September 1916. While serving in England, Reginald's brother Hector (Service No 3555) was reported as missing in action in France.

Reginald was admitted to hospital on 9th November 1916 with trench foot and did not return to his unit until 27th October 1917. He was wounded in action on 24th April 1918 and treated for the effects of a gas attack.

Reginald was returned to Australia in July 1919 and discharged from the AIF on 5th October 1919.

On 14th January 1920 he married Lucy Thomas and they had one son.

Reginald enlisted for service in World War II (Service No N288059) and served, part-time, from 2nd May 1942 to 8th September 1944 with 20th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps.

Reginald died in Branxton, N.S.W. in 1957 and is buried in Branxton Cemetery.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, HOLMES R 944