SAPPER RALPH SLATER HOLMES
8077 – 2nd Tunnelling Company
In Bradford, Yorkshire, England in 1881 the Holmes family consisted of Heaton (25) a waste worker, Martha Ann (nee Slater) (26), Alice E. (2) and Harry who were residing at 3 Kerr Street, Bradford, Yorkshire. Three years passed and their son Ralph Slater Holmes was born on June 13, 1884. A month later he was baptised at the Holy Trinity Church in Bradford on July 20, 1884.
By 1891 their residence was 41 Fairbank Street, Bradford and on Census night in the household was Martha (36), Alice (12) Harry (10) and Ralph (6). By 1901 42 Westfield Road, Bradford was home, the residents were Heaton (45) waste worker, Martha (45), Alice E. (21), Harry (20) warehouseman and Ralph (16) wool dyes clerk.
Heaton Holmes (48), a merchant and his son Ralph (19) clerk, departed Liverpool on the steamer Runic for Australia and the ship arrived in Sydney, NSW on July 4, 1904. His father who was a Wool Lumper returned to Yorkshire and came back to Queensland with his wife Martha arriving on February 2, 1914 on board the steamer Ceramic at Sydney, NSW.
Later that year on September 12, 1914 Ralph married in Brisbane, Qld to Bridget Clarice Hilton.
A letter he wrote was published in The Worker on Thursday January 13, 1916:
At the Brisbane Recruiting Depot on June 25, 1917 the married clerk applied to enlist for active service abroad. Volunteers were acknowledged in The Brisbane Courier on Tuesday June 27, 1917:
After passing the medical examination forms of Attestation were completed describing the thirty-three year old as 170cms (5ft 7ins) tall, weighing 57.2kgs (126lbs) with a chest measurement of 82-86cms (32-34ins). Complexion was fair with blue eyes and dark brown hair. Vision tested as good. Distinctive marks were two vaccination scars on his left arm. He had been a member of the Sherwood Rifle Club for 18 months. Religious denomination was Church of England. Next-of-kin was his wife Mrs Bridget Clarice Holmes of Johnson Estate, Sherwood, Brisbane, Qld. He was sworn in the same day.
Details of a presentation were published in The Brisbane Courier on Tuesday August 14, 1917:
Basic training commenced on August 13, 1917 with the No. 1 Depot Company and was declared dentally fit the same day. He was granted six days final home leave to see family at Rangers Valley, Glen Innes, NSW from August 22 to 28, 1917 returning to complete training on September 10. Next was transferred to the Miners’ Depot (1st Military District) until January 13, 1918 then sent to their training camp in Bendigo, Vic until October 12 to join the June, 1917 Reinforcements to the Tunnelling Companies. He was appointed Acting Corporal until November 26. His regimental number was 8077. In preparation for departure his Will was noted to be lodged with his father Heaton Holmes, P.O. Box 174, G.P.O. Brisbane, Qld. For the voyage to Europe he was promoted to Corporal.
The Reinforcements numbered 130 departing from Melbourne, Victoria at noon on November 26, 1917 aboard the SS Indarra. At 10.15 p.m. the ship arrived at Albany, W.A. on November 30 and departed at 2.10 p.m. on December 1, 1917. Colombo was reached by December 13 at 10.30 a.m. and left two days later at 8.30 a.m. on December 15. Christmas Day was specially provided for by the ship and religious services were held on board. The troops disembarked at the Suez at 7 a.m. December 27, 1917. Amusements such as sports and cricket between various troop decks took place with some competitive teams made up of officers. Occasionally a religious service was held during the week. Weather was excellent and warm in the tropics.
The troops were transhipped to HMT Kashgar on January 9, 1918 and arrived at Taranto, Italy on January 20, 1918. They were entrained at Bordighira, Italy about January 27 entering Cherbourg, France on January 31, 1918 where they boarded H.M.T. Mona’s Queen and disembarked at Southampton on February 2, 1918. The men were entrained to Parkhouse camp and marched into No. 3 Details camp the same day. There he was appointed E.D.P. Corporal (Extra Duty Pay until March 15 when he reverted to the rank of Sapper.
The Reinforcement departed for France on March 15, 1918 marching into the Aust General Base Depot at Rouelles the next day. They moved to the Aust Corps Depot at Caestre on March 20 and he was taken on strength with the 2nd Tunnelling Company on March 24, 1918. On April 19, 1918 he joined his unit.
Service continued and he suffered no sickness or wounds. On November 9, 1918 he proceeded on leave to Paris and was there when Peace was declared. He rejoined his unit on November 19.
The Tunnelling Companies remained as part of the Army of Occupation assisting with the rehabilitation of their district by clearing roads and bridges of delayed-action mines and booby traps left by the enemy.
On December 5, 1918 he marched out to the Medical Board at the A.G.B.D. and crossed the English Channel from France to England on December 10, 1918. He marched into the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth.
He had his case dismissed for the following which was recorded as an Offence while at Littlemoor Camp:
Offence:30/12/18 Weymouth A.W.L. from 23.59 to 15.00 31/12/18 Case dismissed by Lt-Col D.A. Lane 1.1.19
He was noted as absent without leave but returned from absence.
Mrs Holmes wrote to the Base Records on March 12, 1919 advising that her address was P.O. Box 174 G.P.O. Brisbane and hoped they would let her know in good time when her husband was returning.
On March 25, 1919 he embarked for home as an invalid on the hospital ship Port Denison.
Base Records replied to a letter from the Paymaster, 3rd Military District dated March 31, 1919 in which she advised that she had returned from Melbourne to Brisbane and she was told at Victoria Barracks to notify of her address. She had not heard from him since January 3 and thought he might be on his way home. When he was at Littlemoor camp he was marked B1 A4. As she did not know what they meant inquired what it was and her husband did not know himself.
Base Records replied informing her that no report of any description had been received in respect of her husband and had noted her address for correspondence. The meaning of B1 A4 was not known there.
(B1 A4 was the medical classification for the level of debility of a soldier.)
His wife was advised by Base Records on April 16, 1919 that he was on his way home. The ship arrived in Brisbane, Qld (1st M.D.) on May 19, 1919.
Military Discharge was issued in Brisbane (1st M.D.) on June 11, 1919 as medically unfit.
While Ralph was abroad, both his parents passed away, his father on August 9, 1918 and his mother on January 7, 1919. Both were laid to rest in the Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane. In 1919 his residence was Mt Eden, Railway Terrace, Milton, Brisbane working as a clerk.
For serving his country Sapper 8077 Ralph Slater Holmes, 2nd Tunnelling Company was awarded the British War Medal (32501) and the Victory Medal (30504).
In 1925 he was a farmer at Athelbar, Warroo, Inglewood, Qld probably as part of the Soldier Settlers’ Scheme. In 1943 he was at 297 Bowen Terrace, New Farm with the occupation of farmer.
A Statutory Declaration dated February 5, 1945 from R.S. Holmes, 5 The Avenue, Strathfield, NSW declared that on November 25, 1944 he had all his suits stolen and on one was his returned soldier’s badge. The thieves were committed for trial that month but did not receive the suits back as they were sold. He wished to apply for a duplicate badge. A reply from Canberra Records Office dated February 6, 1945 acknowledged his Declaration and requested a remittance of one shilling and a new badge would be forwarded to him. He receipted delivery of the duplicate badge (11380) on February 16, 1945.
In 1945 he married Doris Muriel Catherine Wilde and the announcement was printed in The Courier-Mail on August 8, 1945:
A Statement of Service was forwarded to the Repatriation Commission in Sydney, NSW on January 21, 1952.
In 1954 his address was Yanderra Hall, East Street, North Sydney, NSW with the occupation of clerk.
Ralph Slater Holmes died on August 12, 1956 in Brisbane aged 72 years.
The Courier-Mail on Tuesday August 14, 1956 published the following notice:
His War Service Plaque is located in the Mt Thompson Crematorium Memorial Gardens, Brisbane, Qld in the War Service Section.
© Donna Baldey 2012