Other Properties - Aust. Singles

Lot 3627    SESSION 8 (2.00PM THURSDAY 30TH JULY)    Other Properties - Aust. Singles

Estimate $3,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au

CHINA WAR MEDAL 1900, later died on HMAS Australia. C.E.Holmes Boy., Victoria. Nav. Cont. Impressed. Mounted on black felt backing board, minor edge bump, otherwise extremely fine.

Boy Charles Edward Holmes, born 27Jun1883, Enl.03Mar1899 at age 15, Service No.71 with Victorian Naval Contingent; Initially sworn in on 08Mar1899; Emb.30Jul1900 on S.S.Salamis; Emb.02Apr1901 on S.S.Chingtu; Arrived Sydney 25Apr1901 and then quarantined; Disch.13Jul1901 to the shore; Enl.01Sep1910 for 3 years and then on 01Jul1912 for 7 years; served as Leading Seaman on Parramatta 01-27Jul1911, as Petty Officer 1st class on HMAS Parramatta 28Jul1911-15Jun1912, HMAS Cerberus 16Jun-20Jun1912, London Depot 01Jul1912-21Jun1913, HMAS Australia 22Jun-02Aug1913; critically injured in accident on board ship 01Aug1913 fractured skull, broken collarbone and shoulder blade; Died of injuries 02Aug1913.

Charles Edward Holmes was killed as the result of an accident on board the Royal Australian Navy's first flagship, HMAS Australia. The following report was published in The Argus newspaper in Melbourne, Thursday 21 August 1913, p6.

'A cable message from Cape Town yesterday conveyed the news that the first fatal accident had occurred on board the Commonwealth flagship Australia, shortly after the new Dreadnought left Cape St. Vincent. Petty Officer Charles Edward Holmes was the victim, a derrick falling on his head. Unusual interest attaches to the accident, owing to the fact that the unfortunate young sailor was well known in naval and military circles here. He was only 30 years of age, and a resident of Twyford Street, Williamstown where he leaves a new wife and two young children to mourn their loss.

The late Petty Officer Holmes, in the capacity of a bugler boy, went to China with the Victorian Contingent at the time of the Boxer Rebellion serving under Captain Tickell. On returning he joined the Victorian naval forces and gained the rank of Seaman. Subsequently Petty Officer Holmes served in the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery, being stationed at Queenscliff, showing special ability in handling the little steam launch Mars. When the Australian naval service was made especially attractive, Holmes again enlisted and formed a member of the crew of the destroyer Parramatta. He afterwards went to England to obtain experience prior to joining the Australian flagship.'

With copy of original Certificate of Service and newspaper article that also includes a photo of Petty Officer Charles Edward Holmes.