Bertie Alfred Holmes

Bertie Alfred Holmes

Personal Information
Date of Birth	4 Dec 1894
Place of Birth	Norwich, England
Death	1 Nov 1987, aged 92.
Place of Death	Armadale, Western Australia
Age at Enlistment	45 years, 8 months
Occupation	brick maker
Religion	Methodist
Address	Byford, Western Australia
Next of Kin	Wife , Mrs Gladys Edith Holmes
Military Information
Reg Number	W26249
Date of Enlistment	22 Aug 1940
Rank	Staff Sergeant
Unit/Formation	Australian Staging Camp - Kalgoorlie
Post War Details
Fate	Remained in Australia
Monument(s)	ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Byford WW2 Honour Roll
Medals	War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45

Pre War

Previously had 4½ years with the British Royal Engineers. Bertie emigrated to Australia, boarding the SS Orsova on 15 Sep 1923, and disembarking in Fremantle on 18 Oct 1923. During 1929 he married Gladys Edith Nairn (1895 - 9 Feb 1987). Son Bertie Nairn.

Electoral Roll entries: 1925 - 1928 c/- William Nairn, Byford, teamster; 1931 Neendaling via Lake Grace, farmer; 1936 - 1943 Byford, farm hand.

War Service

On 22 Aug 1940 he enlisted at the Claremont Recruit Reception Depot and was posed to the 5th Australian Garrison Battalion at Swanbourne. On 22 Aug 1940 he was classified as a Clerk T.G. III, and on 27 Sep 1940 he was attached to the 10th Australian Garrison Battalion. From 14 Oct 1940 he was promoted Corporal, but to carry out the duties of the Orderly Room Sergeant. He was promoted Sergeant on 16 Nov 1940.

Bertie was Posted to Y Garrison Company at the Melville camp on 9 Jan 1941, and on 21 Feb 1941 he was promoted acting Staff Sergeant. On 1 Aug 1941 he was detached to the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion where on 4 Sep 1941 he was granted Annual Leave from 4 - 25 September. Bertie was hospitalised on 24 May 1942, and released to the 109th Australian Convalescent Depot on 6 Jun 1942, returning to his unit at Swanbourne on 16 Jun 1942. On returning to his unit he was charged with Drunkenness, and awarded a Severe Reprimand.

As a result he was posted to the Australian Staging Camp - Kalgoorlie on 4 Jul 1942. Sick on 18 Jan 1943 he was admitted to the Kalgoorlie Hospital until 23 Jan 1943, and again from 10 - 20 Mar 1943. Back with the Staging Camp, from 11 Jun 1943 until 4 Mar 1944 he was an Acting Warrant Officer Grade 2. From 23 Apr 1944 until 28 Apr 1944 he was again in Kalgoorlie Hospital receiving treatment for a peptic ulcer. On 29 Apr 1944 he was transferred from the Kalgoorlie Hospital to the 118th Australian General Hospital in Northam for treatment for a Duodenal Ulcer and the side effects of an earlier Polio-Myelitis bout. On 25 Jul 1944 a Medical Board graded him 'D', to be discharged as unsuited to occupations involving heavy, or prolonged exertion or mental stress. Bertie was discharged on 6 Sep 1944.

Post War

Electoral Roll entries: 1954 - 1968 Cardup, farmer ; 1977 at 12 Kerun court, Armadale, retired