Memorial Box Banter - Part VII
On the day that the Armistice was signed, whilst shouts of rejoicing could be heard in every direction, I stood alone with a lump in my throat, feeling in no mood to wave flags, though deeply grateful that hostilities had ceased and that no more precious human lives would have to be sacrificed.*
A few weeks after the First World War ended, Gladesville resident, Dora Boulton, opened her mail to read these words from Victorian chaplain, Albert Holden. Dora had never met Albert and they may have had little in common, but for one thing: their sons lay buried side by side in a cemetery in Northern France.
Albert was a well-respected and experienced chaplain. He had served in the Boer War, providing spiritual guidance and support for the men of the Fourth Contingent. Albert was later called upon when the First World War began to travel to the front line and report on the state of the chaplaincy service.
Albert’s son, Norman, who had not yet turned 18, accompanied him as his batman. Norman had been a student at Wesley College preparing to study medicine, but the opportunity to be in the thick of the action must have seemed like a grand adventure for a boy still too young to enlist.
Albert and Norman returned home in March 1917, but it wasn’t long until they found themselves once again en route to Europe, only this time Norman was old enough to be assigned to a fighting unit. In March 1918, Norman farewelled his father and travelled to the Western Front as a gunner with the 11th Field Artillery Brigade.
By September allied forces were becoming increasingly desperate to break through the Germans’ seemingly impenetrable Hindenburg Line. Late in that month, the allies launched an attack against the heavily defended St Quentin Canal.
The 11th Field Artillery Brigade was ordered to provide cover for advancing troops but on the 29 September, the brigade found itself under heavy shell and machine-gun fire. Seven members of the brigade were killed during this action; among them was 20 year old Norman Holden.
The story of the Holden family is part of our new Australia in the First World War Memorial Boxes. Click on the link to find out more:
http://www.awm.gov.au/education/memorial-boxes/1.
*Condolence letters to the Boulton Family, 1918, AWM 1DRL/0138