HOLL, James Thomas
| Service Number: | 2432 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 June 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 59th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, 1877 |
| Home Town: | Quarry Hill, Greater Bendigo, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Packer |
| Memorials: | Bendigo Members of The Beehive Staff Pictorial Honor Roll, Bendigo Quarry Hill Methodist Church Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 1 Jun 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2432, 60th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Sep 1916: | Involvement Private, 2432, 60th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '20' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Shropshire embarkation_ship_number: A9 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Sep 1916: | Embarked Private, 2432, 60th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Shropshire, Melbourne | |
| 8 May 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2432, 60th Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (Second) | |
| 25 Apr 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2432, 60th Infantry Battalion, Villers-Bretonneux | |
| 8 Aug 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2432, 60th Infantry Battalion, The Battle of Amiens | |
| 25 Sep 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 59th Infantry Battalion, France | |
| 30 Sep 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2432, 59th Infantry Battalion, Breaching the Hindenburg Line - Cambrai / St Quentin Canal | |
| 2 Nov 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2432, 59th Infantry Battalion, RTA 10 June 1919 and discharged (TPE). |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Larna Malone
James Thomas Holl was born in Quarry Hill. He was one of the oldest men to enlist from the Beehive Store, and also one of the few who were married. He lived with his wife Violet Ellen Holl at 117 Breen St, Quarry Hill, and was employed as a Packer in the View Point furnishing warehouse.
He enlisted for service in Bendigo on 8.5.16, aged 39 years & 1 month, and entered the 30th Depot Battalion in Castlemaine on 1.6.16. The start of his Service is listed as 14.7.16, the date on which he was appointed to the 5th Reinforcements for the 60th Battalion, with Service No. 2432.
"Private James Holl, a member of the Beehive staff, who is shortly leaving for the front, was on Saturday morning presented with a wristlet watch and a safety razor from the firm and the employes of the Beehive. Mr. J. C. Henderson occupied the chair, and the presentation was made by Mr A. Mackay (acting on behalf of Major R. O. Henderson), who referred appreciatively to Private Holl’s patriotic action, and expressed the best wishes for his success and safe return. These remarks were supported by Mr. E. Bolton, manager of the View Point furnishing warehouse, where Private Holl was employed before his enlistment.” [Bendigonian 13 July 1916]
James Holl embarked for overseas on 25.9.16. (“Shropshire”) After Disembarking at Plymouth (11.11.16) he entered the 15th Training Battalion at Hurdcott (21.11.16). He embarked for France on 30.12.16, and after some time spent at the Base Depot, joined the 60th Battalion on 17.2.17.
He spent a considerable amount of time in hospital while in France, his age possibly contributing to his poor state of health. On 16.6.17 he was admitted suffering from Influenza, which was later diagnosed as Pyrexia of Unknown Origin. He was transferred to the Convalescent Depot on 29.6.17 and was transferred to the Base Depot on 1.7.17. He re-joined the 60th Battalion in September, 1917. On 29.4.18 he was admitted to 14 Australian Field Ambulance suffering from Trench Fever. (Trench fever was rife in the trenches of WW1. Transmitted by body lice it resulted in fever, headaches, and sore muscles.) On 2.5.18 he was admitted to the Lines of Communication Hospital, with a diagnosis of Scabies. (i.e. a skin infestation caused by very small mites). He was discharged to the Base Depot on 8.5.18.
On 5.6.18 he was admitted to 40th Stationary Hospital at Harfleur, suffering from a Hammer toe. He was discharged from hospital to the Base Depot on 13.7.18 and re-joined the 60th Battalion on 23.7.18.
He was transferred to the 58th Battalion on 25.9.18, and attended a Course at the Corps Gas School between 13 -19 October 1918. In June, 1919, he embarked for England for Return to Australia (10.6.19).
“Members of the Beehive Staff who Served in the Great War”: Larna Malone
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