Walter Ernest HOLLAMBY

Walter Ernest Hollamby was born January 1898 in Steyning, Sussex, England to Charles Hollamby and Mary Ann Lucy Stace. Charles and Mary Ann were married 1889 in Brighton, Sussex. Their first born was Lucy c1885, Charles c1892, then Walter Ernest 1898, Lily c1903 and Gladys c1906.  

Walter’s father Charles’s occupation was a farmer and a market gardener. In the 1911 census of Portslade, Sussex, as well as their children, they had their grandson Frank Hollamby aged 5 months and father/father in law Walter Stace, aged 72, living with them. Walter Stace died in in England in 1914  

In December 1911 the family migrated to Australia, arriving in Brisbane 16 December 1911 on board the “Perthshire”.  They brought their grandson Frank Hollamby with them. Walter Ernest was aged 13.  

By 1913 the family were living in Nelson (now Gordonvale/Aloomba), in the District of Herbert.  

Walter Ernest’s parents, Mary Ann Lucy died in 1947 and Charles in 1949. His  brother Charles who had also enlisted, was killed in action.  

At the time of Walter Ernest’s enlistment on the 23 November 1915, he did not state where he was living but gave his next of kin as his father, Charles, with the address of Aloomba, via Cairns. He gave his age as 18 and occupation a farm labourer. His height was 5 feet 7 ½ inches, weight 14 pounds with dark complexion, brown eyes and brown hair. His religion was Church of England.  

Walter Ernest was killed “in the field” in Pozieres, Somme Sector, France, 9 August 1915 and is buried in Serre Road Cemetery No.w Beaumont Hamel, Picardie, France.