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Battlefield Investigations by Adam Holloway

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23.01.2022 "Mates - Horsing around in hospital''. - - - - - - - - - - A wonderful photograph from the AWM collection shows four mates during their stay in hospital - an Australian (English born), a New Zealander (Pioneer), and two British lads. From different countries, but bonded by war. Private Charles Alban Harris (2953) of the 7th Battalion AIF enlisted on 17 July 1915 in Melbourne, Victoria. He was born in Wolverhampton, England and was 29 years of age when he left Australia for wa...r. He had been employed as an engine driver on the railways. He sailed with the 9th Reinforcements to the 7th Battalion and arrived on Gallipoli on 7 December 1915. He suffered from medical problems throughout 1916 which saw him sent to hospital in England, where this photograph was taken. Charles rejoined the 7th Battalion in France on 7 February 1917. During the skirmishes with retiring German troops near Le Sars on 25 February 1917, poor Charles was killed in action and buried in the field. The grave was lost and he is now commemorated on the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France. Lest we forget. #dutynoblydone

22.01.2022 DUTY NOBLY DONE Honoured - Professional Military Education (PME) presentation - 'Kokoda' Barracks, Land Warfare Centre, Canungra - - - - - - - - - - As previously mentioned, 'Duty Nobly Done' was selected by Army for the PME Reading List for 2020 and 2021. This is a tremendous honour. Due to Covid, the actual presentation was delayed - until yesterday :-). It was recorded to be uploaded to The Cove - Australian Army, so stay tuned ... I had the privilege of not only addressi...ng some of our finest servicemen and women, many of who are veterans, but hearing their thoughts on Duty Nobly Done and how it relates to Army's 'Good Soldiering' statement. It was gratifying to hear that the book resonated strongly with them all in relation to the principals of leadership, courage and teamwork. It was an equal pleasure to have played a part in telling the story of how the origins of the Australian Army and why they are, and should be, proud of the uniform they wear. Thank you to all the team at the Land Warfare Centre for making me welcome and looking after me. I am especially grateful to the Commandant, Colonel Arran Hassell CSC for his kind welcome, and to the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant Colonel Steve Pata for his support (pictured). I am truly honoured that the Army recognises the significance of what Duty Nobly Done has achieved in telling the story of Australian soldiers in the Great War. Thank you for your service.

20.01.2022 This is the promo from my recent Army interview and PME presentation about 'Duty Nobly Done' at the Land Warfare Centre, Kokoda Barracks, Canungra. >> Featuring comments from Commandant, Colonel Arran Hassell. Thank you for your kind words. #dutynoblydone

19.01.2022 Henry Bonsell 'Chick' Holloway, 15th Battalion AIF - - - - - - - - - - I have been perusing a heap of old photographs on the State Library of Queensland site lately (a tremendous collection) and who should I find? A fresh-faced, young Chick Holloway at Enoggera camp in 1915. He is centre with the broad-brimmed hat. Alas, I did not have this wonderful photograph when the book was published (perhaps in the second run), but it is a joy to have it nonetheless.... His pals are unidentified, but the caption reads that the couple at the back were visiting the camp and brought scones and cakes. A fine afternoon no doubt. Chick eventually made his way to the Western Front where he first went into action in the Pozieres sector in August 1916. Check out his story and that of the other 10 lads in 'Duty Nobly Done'. #dutynoblydone #anzac

19.01.2022 Brothers in Arms - Percy and Elver Baker - - - - - - - - - - I have had the honour of preparing 'Last Action' reports for Percy and Elver Baker; brothers who both paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Great War. Percy (27th Battalion) died of wounds after an attack on 'Malt Trench' near Warlencourt, France on 2 March 1917. He was buried at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension. ... Elver (15th Battalion AIF) was killed on 11 April 1917 in the first battle of Bullecourt and was listed as missing, later killed in action. He was discovered in 1920 and re-interred at Queant Road Cemetery. I am pleased to report that both these brave lads' last actions are now known to their relative. Lest we forget. - - - - - - - - - - Contact me if you want to know how and where your soldier died in the Great War.

19.01.2022 Medal Displays and 'Last Action' Reports - - - - - - - - - Are you looking for a way to display your service or that of a loved one? Contact JR Medals and you will be impressed with their tremendous workmanship and innovative ideas. Order now in time for Christmas. Bring the stories behind the medals to life with a Battlefield Investigations report. We offer 'Last Action' reports that outline how and where your Great War soldier made the ultimate sacrifice -or- we can prepare... a Battlefield Tour report for a fulfilling experience on the Western Front. https://www.facebook.com/jrmedals/

18.01.2022 'On the wire' at the Australian 'Fire Support Base' at Nui Dat, Vietnam (c.1971). - - - - - - - - - - My Dad got the call up in early 1970 when he turned 21. He headed over for a tour with 131 Div Locating Battery, based at Nui Dat. He has plenty of interesting stories from his 'operations' out in the countryside. An avid photographer, he snapped plenty of interesting people and places. Will share them from time to time as well.

17.01.2022 A Queenslander-style 'Pipe' and drum 'band' at Enoggera (c.1915). Bless them. (How many pipes can you see?) :-)

16.01.2022 A letter from a grieving father - RIP Alex Blair, 9th Battalion AIF (KIA 19 July 1918). - - - - - - - - - - When came the news, ‘Your son, killed in action’, words cannot express the sorrow those words conveyed. What indescribable feelings of grief and sadness have those three words brought to thousands upon thousands of what were once happy and peaceful homes. In retrospection, how vividly the past comes before us, resuscitating memories of days gone by, when all our boys ...were full of life and vigour; fine, manly, stalwart lads, a credit to their country, and the pride and joy of their parents. How quickly they answered the call when their country was in danger; ever ready and willing to sacrifice their lives to protect the people they loved so well. Who could describe the hardships and sufferings they endured for us never complaining, always cheerful under the great strain of war, where death and destruction were rampant daily amongst them. How anxiously we looked for their letters home, always hoping and praying that those letters would come and bring the glad tidings that they were still alive, and dispel the feelings of dread and anxiety with which every parent’s heart was burdened. - - - - - - - - - - - Extract of a letter from J.M. Blair, Mitchell (Roma District), November 1918, on hearing of the death in action of his son Alex Blair. See more

16.01.2022 A Queenslander-style 'Pipe' and drum 'band' at Enoggera (c.1915). Bless them. (How many pipes can you see?) :-)

16.01.2022 The Hospitals of 'Duty Nobly Done' - King George V Military Hospital, Stamford Street, London - - - - - - - - - - When construction began on the six-storey 'Cornwall House', it was intended as warehouse for H.M. Stationery Office.However, when it was completed in mid-1915 it became known as King George Military Hospital. At the height of the Great War, in October 1917, it was said to be the largest military hospital in Britain with 1900 beds. - - - - - - - - - - Our Holloway ...boy writes: "As you will see, I am in London, and am doing well; got up for the first time yesterday, but chest is still very weak. They don’t keep you in bed a day longer than is necessary. As soon as a patient can stand on his feet they get him up, if only for an hour, and back to bed again. Today I was allowed up a little earlier; tomorrow, I go before the Colonel of the hospital, and I expect in a few days time will be sent onto one of our convalescent hospitals.We are quite near 'The Strand' and only a very short walk from 'Australia House', so the sister says I can take a walk that far, and have a look at it." - - - - - - - - - - One of the features of the hospital was the roof-top promenade that commanded magnificent views of London's famous landmarks (pictured). He writes again: "Our hospital is situated quite close to the Thames. From the writing room window as I sit here I can see the Tower Bridge, St Pauls, Somerset House, and Australia House. It is six storeys high, and we have a fine roof promenade; also from the roof we can see Westminster Abbey, and we look down on Charing Cross, and The Strand right below us. It is hard for an Aussie to realise that these are the places which have been the scenes of so many historic events. When I sit up on the roof and look over London I think of that book by O Henry, 'The Voice of the City', when he heard the old buildings and streets telling their history as he passed them." - - - - - - - - - - Photographs from a collection belonging to Benjamin Disraeli Margerison of Richmond, Virginia, who was in the RAMC, on the staff of the hospital and later on the Hospital Ship Llandovery Castle. He is (pictured) crouching in the group photo with glasses and moustache. - - - - - - - - - - For more about the extraordinary story of 11 young men from my family in the Great War, read 'Duty Nobly Done' by Adam Holloway (2018), published by Big Sky Publishing and available at all good bookstores. - - - - - - - - - - To learn more about what your family did in the Great War and 'walk in their footsteps ...', contact Battlefield Investigations by Adam Holloway.

15.01.2022 A quiet stroll past what was left of a brick works. - - - - - - - - - - Follow @battlefield_investigations on Instagram for more Great War Pics. . Australian troops walking past a ruined Bapaume brickworks during the day on which they captured the town - 17 March 1917. (AWM).... #battlefieldinvestigations #dutynoblydone #anzac #anzacspirit #battlefieldtour #bapaume #wwi #ww1 #thegreatwar #sommebattlefields #firstworldwar #westernfront #battlefieldtour #greatwar #ww1history #warhistory #militaryhistory #australiansoldiers #warphotography @awmemorial #awm #australianwarmemorial #19141918 #theirnamelivethforevermore @sirjohnmonashcentre #warphoto #militaryphotography See more

14.01.2022 26th Battalion AIF - Unit History (Great War) - - - - - - - - - - Are you a descendant or relative of a 26th Battalion AIF lad, and would appreciate reading about the experiences of this unit in the Great War? With your help, a unit history can be written and their memory truly honoured. Please contact me if you (or anyone you know) have any of the following and can make them available (usually in electronic format):... - Personal diaries; letters; postcards; photographs (300dpi scan or better); and any other items. All contributions will be suitably acknowledged. I will start a group in due course once we get things rolling. ** IMPORTANT - If you are aware of a 26th Battalion AIF unit history already being written, please advise as soon as possible ** Kind regards, Adam Holloway Author

13.01.2022 DUTY NOBLY DONE by Adam Holloway - - - - - - - - Went a century back in time with my boys today - @qpsrofficial QLD Pioneer Steam Railway at Swanbank. Also, met some lads from the 15th Battalion (@bob_of_the_aif ) doing some drills. Gave them some reading material. Thanks lads . .... . #adamholloway #dutynoblydone #bigskypublishing #anzacs #steamtrains #qpsr #ww1 #readaustralian #aussiereaders #australianauthor #goodreads #mustreadbook #bookrecommendation #australianarmy Australian Army @bigskypub Big Sky Publishing #anzacspirit #militaryhistory #firstworldwar #greatwar #australiansoldiers See more

11.01.2022 'Sanctuary Wood' - 'Hill 62', Ypres Salient, Belgium. Private Hilton James Brooks, 26th Battalion - - - - - - - - - - - - - Private Hilton Brooks was the fifth of the 11 lads from my family to go off to the Great War. He joined the 26th Battalion in France and his first taste of action was in the Pozieres sector near the Windmill in August 1916. The 26th later headed north for a 'rest' in the 'relatively quiet' Ypres Salient. Hilton found himself in the trenches east of Ypres... in the strangely named - 'Sanctuary Wood'. It no longer really resembled a wood, but a muddy moonscape with shattered trunks and filthy shell holes.He endured several days here suffering from rotten weather and nerve-racking barrages. There is a museum there now, and a network of preserved trenches and dugouts for visitors to get some small impression of what it must have looked like during those horrid days. Even though they seem to be in the same possie as the old trench maps say, there are some who say they aren't 'authentic'. Now, I'm no expert in that regard, but many trenches were dug during the Great War, and these are jolly well worth a visit. Head along and enjoy the fine collection in the museum and then take your time wandering the trench network. It really is quite an experience. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For more about the extraordinary story of 11 young men from my family in the Great War, read 'Duty Nobly Done' by Adam Holloway (2018), published by Big Sky Publishing and available at all good bookstores. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To learn more about what your family did in the Great War and 'walk in their footsteps ...', contact Battlefield Investigations by Adam Holloway. See more

08.01.2022 BOOK REVIEW: ‘Surviving the Great War: Australian Prisoners of War on the Western Front, 1916-18’ by Dr Aaron Pegram (Australian War Memorial) RATING: ***** - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - This book is essential reading for anyone interested in gaining further understanding of the total Australian experience in the Great War. Legion are the books of our famous battles, premier battalions, and VC winners, but Dr Pegram has ensured that those unfortunate enough to find themselves... a guest of the Kaiser are not forgotten. In all the years I have read on the Great War, it has not been a deliberate lack of desire on my part not to learn of these men, rather it was simply not the experience of my family. 11 lads from the Holloway family went to war and while three made the ultimate sacrifice, the survivors somehow avoided the ignominious fate of becoming prisoners. Having read this book, and on deeper reflection, I see how close at least two of them came to capture; one at ‘Stormy Trench’ in February 1917 and the other during the April 1917 battle at Bullecourt. It is sobering to see what fate awaited them. Dr Pegram’s research is obviously extensive as he draws upon historical records and personal accounts of these men. Although based on a PhD thesis, it is very well written, with the information presented in a warm and engaging manner. The plight of these men, particularly during the period of ‘reprisal’ treatment that saw hard labour, awful living conditions and a meagre diet, is harrowing and breaks your heart. As if the shock of battle and capture had not been enough. I am pleased to see the inclusion of the Australian Red Cross Society. Not only for the wonderful work they did in sustaining our lads, but in searching for any news of those listed as missing, in order to bring some level of comfort to loved ones at home. Without the tremendous sacrifices of those at home and the donations they sent, our lads would have suffered badly. One can see what a blow to German morale it must have been to see the prisoners being fed better than they were. Especially as no such parcels were coming from the Fatherland. Further fascinating discussion of the prisoner experience includes the value of taking soldiers alive for intelligence purposes, and the mistaken belief that all prisoners were champing at the bit to escape. Who would want to return to the nightmare of the Western Front? These men then had the prospect of returning home to a country of ‘heroes’, and the possibility of facing scrutiny about their desire to fight. While their battles against monotony, hunger, brutality and privation don’t match up with the Anzac legends, these men nonetheless triumphed over the circumstances they found themselves in and deserve to be remembered alongside their comrades. Dr Pegram ensures they will be with his remarkable book. I thoroughly recommend it to all. See more

08.01.2022 Currently Reading ‘Surviving the Great War’ by Dr Aaron Pegram (AWM). - - - - - The story of Australian Prisoners of War on the Western Front, 1916-18.... . . #anzac #dutynoblydone #aussietraveller #readaustralian #aussiereaders #mustreads #greatreads #bookrecommendations #greatwar #wwi #ww1centenary #ww1 #militaryhistory #firstworldwar #anzacday #villersbretonneux #sommebattlefields #battleofthesomme #australiannationalmemorial #ww1cemetery #goodread #mustreads #weekendreading #sirjohnmonashcentre @awmemorial @war_graves_ce @australianarmy #tourismepicardie @dymocksbooks @qbdbooks #readthisbook

08.01.2022 A Digger registering a letter at the local Army HQ Post Office in France during the Great War. (AWM - E.381).

08.01.2022 JR Medals does awesome work. Brilliant workmanship and innovative ideas to display your service or honour the memory of a loved one. Support a family business that knows what it is to serve with honour.

07.01.2022 "Got in the way of something ... copped a 'Blighty' ... 'Wounded in Action' ..." - - - - - - - - - - Many of the 11 lads from my family received at least one wound, with many having a few trips to hospital. A number were lucky to be alive. Indeed, I am very lucky to be alive; thanks due to the 3rd Field Ambulance chaps. Over 150,000 lads 'got in the way of something' during the Great War. A wounded soldier's survival was often due to the tireless work of their mates, 'Stretc...her Bearers' ('SB'), Field Ambulance and Australian Army Medical Corps lads who braved the mud, the bullets and shells to get our boys to safety. (Pictured) Stretcher bearers taking wounded back after the fighting in Bapaume (March 1917); (Pictured) through the trenches at Bullecourt (May 1917); and, an Australian General chats with one of the wounded (May 1917). (AWM) #dutynoblydone

03.01.2022 General Birdwood and the unveiling of the memorial to the 1st Australian Division, July 1917. (AWM images) - - - - - - - - - - A memorial erected on the battlefield to honour the officers and men of the 1st Australian Division who died during the battle to take Pozieres from the Germans in July 1916. An Australian chaplain delivers a sermon to crowds of assembled men and officers in a cemetery. Beside him, draped in the Australian flag, is the memorial to the 1st Australian D...ivision, which is to be unveiled. Australian officers salute and soldiers present arms as the memorial to the fallen members of the 1st Australian Division is unveiled. The memorial is in the form of a large white Celtic cross similar to those on many of the graves in the cemetery. General Birdwood, Australian divisional commanders and staff officers chat after the unveiling of the memorial.

03.01.2022 Currently Reading ‘Surviving the Great War’ by Dr Aaron Pegram (AWM). - - - - - The story of Australian Prisoners of War on the Western Front, 1916-18.... . . #anzac #dutynoblydone #aussietraveller #readaustralian #aussiereaders #mustreads #greatreads #bookrecommendations #greatwar #wwi #ww1centenary #ww1 #militaryhistory #firstworldwar #anzacday #villersbretonneux #sommebattlefields #battleofthesomme #australiannationalmemorial #ww1cemetery #goodread #mustreads #weekendreading #sirjohnmonashcentre @awmemorial @war_graves_ce @australianarmy #tourismepicardie @dymocksbooks @qbdbooks #readthisbook

02.01.2022 Privates W. A. Fisher, H. Mahaffey, C. Wright and E. McClelland of the 9th Battalion AIF (C Company) in Egypt before the Gallipoli campaign (c.1914/early 1915). (SLQ) - - - - - - - - - - William Arthur FISHER (362) The 28 year old FISHER was born in England, but working as a clerk in Brisbane at the outbreak of war. He enlisted on 3 September 1914 and was assigned to ‘C’ Company (later ‘A’). He was at the Landing where he was wounded in the arm and leg before returning in May.... In August he was evacuated with enteric fever and returned to Australia. Henry MAHAFFEY (361) A 25 year old carpenter, he enlisted on 3 September 1914 and was assigned to ‘C’ Company (later ‘A’). He was wounded at the Landing and later in October 1915. He was transferred to the new 49th Battalion when the AIF was doubled in February/March 1916. He travelled to France and was awarded the Military Medal and Bar, and was killed on 20 November 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, France. Charles Darcy WRIGHT (363) Born in Essex, the 21 year old WRIGHT enlisted on 3 September with FISHER and MAHAFFEY (consecutive numbers). While the other three pictured were wounded at the Landing on 25 April 1915, poor WRIGHT was killed in action the following day. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli. Ernest Edward McCLELLAND (344) A 34 year old clerk from Gerringong, NSW, he enlisted on 28 August 1914. Like his pals, McCLELLAND was assigned to ‘C’ Company (later ‘A’). He was also wounded at the Landing, suffering a bullet wound to the right forearm. He returned to Anzac in October 1915. He went to the 49th Battalion with MAHAFFEY and was wounded again in the attacks on Mouquet Farm in September 1916. He later returned to the battalion and eventually home to Australia after the war. Lest we forget.