Northern Territory Library |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Patrick Holmes
| Name: |
|
| Also known as: |
|
| Rank: |
|
| Service Number: |
|
| Next of Kin: | Mrs M S Thelwall - Sister ; Bampton Vicarage Devon
Mr Clement E R Holmes - Brother ; 39 Cavendish Vale Sherwood Nottingham Miss M Holmes - Sister ; Badsley West Evesham Worcester England |
| Biographical notes: | Northern Territory Times and Gazette (Darwin, NT : 1873-1927), Thursday 19 March 1914, page 7
Pat Holmes 9.8 versus A. C. Douglas 11.2. These men exhibited a most marked disparity in height and weight. Douglas had the advantage of his weight and strength, Holmes in height (over six feet) and reach (but, as a result of recent sickness was weak), though evidently the more scientific boxer. The fight was not lacking in interest, and neither man had much the best of it. An unfortunate misunderstanding occurred about the number of rounds to be fought. On rising from their corners for the third time it was announced as the last round, and, at its conclusion Holmes declined to fight on, and, the referee said there was nothing left for him to do but to award the fight to Douglas. Upon the timekeeper endorsing the three round duration, the referee awarded the fight to Holmes, but said that, owing to the mistake and misunderstanding, both men would receive a medal. Each of the men are said to be anxious to meet each other in the ring again, and, in the event of another tournament being arranged for another interesting encounter is assured. Northern Territory Times and Gazette (Darwin, NT : 1873-1927), Thursday 20 August 1914, page 14 Farewell to Lieut. Pat Holmes. An enthusiastic gathering assembled at the Hotel Victoria on Saturday evening last, the 15th. instant, to bid farewell to Lieut. P. L. R.(familiarly known as "Pat") Holmes, formerly of the Munster Fusiliers, who has volunteered for active service, and is leaving Darwin by the first steamer for England, via Singapore. Captain J. B. O’Sullivan, who has had 23 years service in the Australian field and garrison artillery and light horse, and 18 months active service in South Africa, and who shares with Lieut. Holmes the distinction of being the first to volunteer from the Northern Territory for active service, occupied the chair, the guest of the evening being seated on his right. Mr. James Cain presided at the piano. The proceedings commenced with the usual loyal toast of "The King," the next toast being that of "Lieut. Holmes," which was proposed by the Chairman in a characteristic speech, prompted evidently. by a commendable desire to say what was essential, and nothing more. He said that he was pleased to have the honor of proposing the toast, but he was sorry that they were losing Lieut. Holmes, for in him they were losing a white man, who had not the slightest sign of a yellow streak in him. Lieut. Holmes, though in the "D" division of the Imperial Army, had not waited to be called upon,, and had not only volunteered, but was starting for the front. The toast was supported by Messrs. Cleary, Bert Croft, Walter" Catt "(formerly of the Imperial Army) Morgan A. Marrinan, Stovell (a veteran of the American-Spanish War), and J. J. Supple, and R. Butters, formerly of "The Scots Greys”. The chief toast of the evening was most enthusiastically honored by the singing of "For he’s a jolly good fellow.” The Chairman also took advantage of the opportunity to present Lieut. Holmes with a couple of the best tobacco pipes procurable in Darwin, as a mark of the esteem in which their guest was held by his mates at the 2½ mile railway workshops. Lieut. Holmes did not respond till the close of the evening. The toast "Australia" was proposed by Mr. Cleary, duly honored with the singing of the song "Australia." This toast was responded to by Mr. Myles Aloysius Kelly. The toast of "The Press" was proposed by Mr. Stover, and responded to by Mr. Fred Thompson on behalf of "The Northern Territory Times". Lieut. Holmes responded in a heartfelt manner to the toast of his health, eulogising the characteristics of the Australian people and the many friendships he had formed, amongst them. He referred to the menace which Germany had been for years to the peace of Europe, and the stern though costly necessity of endeavouring to teach the Teutons a salutary lesson. He thanked his shop-mates at the 2½ miles railway workshops for the .pipes they had presented him with. One of them he had broken in already, and it was alright. While smoking the pipes he would cherish the fond memories of those who had presented him with them, and the many friendships he had formed in the Northern Territory. Mr. Bert Croft proposed the toast of "Our Kids; the Australian Cadets, "Which was enthusiastically honored. During the evening songs were sung by Messrs. Catt, Leetch and the Chairman. The proceedings were kept going in an informal but cheerful and enthusiastic manner for a good time after the Chairman and others had left the room. The s.s. "Changsha" left Hong Kong on 14th. Inst and is due to arrive at Darwin about 24th. "Adventurous roving natures Northern Territory volunteers of 1914."/ by Paul A Rosenzweig Sabretache, June 2006. "The first Territorian to depart for war service was Pat Holmes (13), a worker at Darwin's 2 1/2-mile railway workshops. A veteran of service with the Munster Fusiliers, Holmes could not bear waiting to be called upon for service and instead chose to voluntarily leave Darwin by the first steamer to join his old regiment. He received an enthusiastic farewell on 15 August 1914 at the Hotel Victoria in Darwin. Led by his boss Julian O'Sullivan, the Locomotive Superintendent, who stated that they were losing a man, "who had not the slightest sign of a yellow streak in him". Holmes received two tobacco pipes, the best procurable in Darwin, as a mark of esteem from his railway shop-mates. He remarked that, "While smoking the pipes, he would cherish the fond memories of those who had presented him with them, and the many friendships he had formed in the Northern Territory" (14). Holmes sailed from Darwin on SS Mataram on 22 August for England, via Singapore.” “...Lieutenant Pat Holmes had been killed at Gallipoli, but this was not known in Darwin until July 1916 (60), so his name was not recorded on the Roll of Honour produced for a memorial service which was held in Darwin on 25 April 1916." "(13) Stated in NTTG and by the Administrator to be P L R Holmes; listed on the Darwin cenotaph as P E L Holmes. Not recorded as a fatality under either name by AWM, CWGC or NAA." |
| Occupation: |
|
| Date of Enlistment: | 05 December 1914. |
| Age at Enlistment: |
|
| Unit: |
|
| Service: |
|
| Date of Death: | 25 April 1915. |
| Place of Death: |
|
| Memorials: |
|
| Memorials: |
|
| Service History: | Formerly of the Munster Fusiliers. Missing in action on 25th April 1915. Declared "Believed killed" in 1916. |
| Genealogical Society NT Pioneer Register: | 6176 |
| Related link: |
"Departed S.S. Mattaram", Northern Territory Times and Gazette 27 August 1914 p.8
"Farewell function", Northern Territory Times and Gazette Thursday 20 August 1914 p.14 "Report of Promotion and Death", Northern Territory Times and Gazette Thursday 25 May 1916 p.16 "Confirmation of Death", Northern Territory Times and Gazette Thursday 20 July 1916 p.12 Sabretache Article Service record |
Do you have further information for this ANZAC? Please send the Library an email
