Charles HOLLAMBY

Charles Hollamby was born July 1891 in Steyning, Sussex, England to Charles Hollamby and Mary Ann Lucy Stace.  His parents, Charles and Mary Ann were married 1889 in Brighton, Sussex and their first born was Lucy c1885 then Charles c1892, Walter Ernest 1898, Lily c1903 and Gladys c1906.  

Charles (Snr’s) occupation was a farmer and a market gardener. In the 1911 census of Portslade, Sussex, as well as all of the 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 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. Charles was 20.  

By 1913 the family were living in Nelson (now Gordonvale/Aloomba), in the District of Herbert. His  sister Lucy married John George Robertson in 1913 and Lily May marred George Henry Bowers in 1922.  

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

At the time of Charles’ enlistment he did not state where he was living but gave his father, Charles Hollamby of Kuranda, as his next of kin. He gave his age as 23 years 7 months and his occupation as a farmer. His height was 5 feet 9 ¼ inches, weight 172 pounds, with brown complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. His religion was Church of England.  

His record shows that on the 4 April 1916 he was promoted to Corporal and on the 5 April 1916 to Sergeant.  

On the 8 August 1915 he was wounded in action and again on the 18 October 2016.  He was killed in action on the 8 July 1918. He is remembered on the Villiers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villiers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France.