Cyril Arthur Holmes
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 23 Nov 1912 |
| Place of Birth | Manchester, England |
| Death | 2 Dec 1984, aged 72 |
| Place of Death | Royal Perth Hospital |
| Age at Enlistment | 29 years, 6 months |
| Description | 5'5" (1.65m) tall ; ; fair complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair |
| Occupation | Brick worker |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | Bradshaw road, Byford, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs. Eileen Mary Holmes |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | W62685 |
| Date of Enlistment | 28 May 1942 |
| Rank | Driver |
| Unit/Formation | 24th Australian Company AASC |
| Post War Details | |
| Fate | Remained in Australia |
| Monument(s) |
ANZAC Memorial Park (Byford) Byford WW2 Honour Roll |
| Medals |
Defence Medal War Medal 1939-45 Australian Service Medal 1939-45 |
Pre War
During 1938 Cyril married Eileen Mary Rubery. In the 1936 Electoral Roll he is listed as being at 11 Lochee street, Buckland Hill, shop assistant.
War Service
Cyril enlisted in the CMF part time on 28 May 1942 at Armadale, and on 20 Jul 1942 he was called in for full time service and posted to the General Reinforcements training at the 13th Australian Infantry Training Battalion at Northam on 30 Jul 1942. On 19 Aug 1942 he was admitted to the 38th Australian Camp Hospital, returning to training two days later. On 25 Aug 1942 he was again in training until 21 Sep 1942 when he rejoined the Training Battalion.
From 14 Dec 1942 until 9 Jan 1943 Cyril undertook the Driver Mechanic Course with the Western Australian Line of Communications Area AASC School, earning praise for his capabilities. Following a period in a base depot on 6 Feb 1943 he was posted to the 11th Australian Infantry Battalion (City of Perth Regiment) as a trade group III Driver Mechanic, and 3 days layer on 22 Feb 1942 he entrained for the Northern Territory, spending some time in South Australia (29 Feb - 7 Mar 1943) along the way, eventually arriving in the Territory on 10 Mar 1943.
In the Northern Territory on 28 Apr 1943 he was transferred from the 11th Battalion to the 24th Australian Company AASC following completion in South Australia of a motor vehicle trade training centre course for driver mechanics. He was then detached on 21 May 1943 to HQ Command AASC 12th Australian Division following attendance at a Motor vehicle Trade Training Centre. On 24 Jul 1944 he was admitted to the 107th Australian General Hospital with an infected right hand, returning to his unit on 27 Jul 1944. On 9 Oct he was transferred to the Northern Territory Force Reception Camp for re-assignment, and on 9 Oct 1944 he was posted to the 118th Australian General Transport Company.
On 20 Nov 1944 he was transferred out to the Western Command Recruit Reception & General Details Depot's Discharge Section. Discharge occurred on 8 Dec 1944.
Post War
Electoral Roll entries: 1943 - 1954 at Bradshaw street, Byford, labourer; 1968 - 1984 at 84 Park road, Byford, excavator driver. Eileen died 29 May 2012 in Byford, aged 96.
Notes
Cyril is buried in the Serpentine Cemetery. His headstone does not give dates (see above). Had three children, Maxine, Bevan, and Cary.