The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Holland
First Name:
Hubert Mervyn
Nick Name:
Lofty, Dutchy
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX17997
Classification:
Batman/Runner
Company:
‘B’ Company, 8 Platoon
Enlisted:
10.12.1941
Discharged:
17.12.1945
DOB:
22.02.1921
Place of Birth:
Wagin, Western Australia
Father's Name:
Charles Newton Holland
Mothers's Name:
Clarice 'Estelle' Holland (Ayliffe)
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Railway Engine Cleaner and Farmhand
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi; Johore Bahru; Adam Park;
Force:
Japan ‘B’ Party Korea, Fukkai Maru
Camps Japan:
Keijo, Korea remaind behind due to illness; Fukuoka sub‐Camp No. 13, Saganoseki; Omine Divisional Camp No.6
POW#:
333
Return Details 1945:
Nagasaki-Hong Kong-Manila, U.S. Navy aircraft carrier; Manila-Morotai-Darwin-Perth, PBY Catalina aircraft A24-77.

General Description

 

Bert enlisted AIF 10 Dec 1941.
Within one month he was on board ‘Aquitania’ with reinforcements sailing  to Singapore.  He became batman/Runner with ‘B’ Company 8 Platoon under Commanding Officer Lt Lee. Within 8 weeks was fighting to save Singapore!
From Singapore Holland was selected to work with Japan ‘B’ Party, Korea, sailing on ‘Fukkai’ Maru.
For more information read ‘Korea – Destination for Ted Roots, Jack Taylor, Jim Clancy, Bill Gray and Hubert ‘Dutchy’ Holland’

 

 

 

Bert’s parents Charles Newton Holland and Clarice Estelle ‘Stella’  Ayliffe married Wagin 14 August 1914.  Bert was one of 4 boys Charles Edwin ‘Ned’ (Enlisted NSW, SX30530), Roy Newton (enlisted WW2),  Hubert (Bert) and Thomas Walter and 2 girls Dorothy Lillian and Ursula Estelle.
Below:  Appears Charles Edwin ‘Ned’ was a handful for his parents!

 

Below:   Hubert’s uncle and Charlie Holland’s brother George Stanley Holland  died in a shooting accident 1925.

The West Australian (Perth, WA) Wednesday 23 August 1933 – DEATHS HOLLAND.—On August 21, 1933, at the Wagin Hospital, Edward, beloved husband of Emily Jane, loving father of Ethel (Mrs. Dradge, deceased) [sic], Clara (Mrs. Nenke, Subiaco), Fred (Perth), Harry (North Fremantle), Alfred and Ralph (Wagin), Harrold (Mick, deceased), Millie (Mrs. Rudinger, Perth); Charles (Wagin), Inda (Mrs. Morris, Narrogin), Jack (Wagin), Tom (killed in action), Emily (Mrs. Anderson, deceased), Stanley (accidentally killed, Wagin), Dorothy (deceased); grandfather of 52 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren. Total number of descendants, 87, 75 of whom are still living; aged 88 years and 4 months.One of the best this world contained. Peacefully sleeping

Below:  Hubert’s grandfather Edward Holland died 1933 at Wagin.

The Wagin Argus and Arthur, Dumbleyung, Lake Grace Express (WA) Thursday 31 August 1933 – Page 1
OBITUARY
LATE MR, EDWARD HOLLAND.
On Monday morning of last week the death of Mr. Edward Holland occurred at thee Government hospital, Wagin. The deceased gentleman, who was 88 years of age, had been in failing health for some time, and had been an inmate of the local Hospital for some weeks.
Mr. Holland had been a resident of the Wagin District for a great number of yours, and is survived by a grown-up family.
The funeral, which was largely attended, took place on Tuesday afternoon, August 22nd, leaving the Anglican Church at 3 p.m.
The Chief Mourners were: — Clara (Mrs. Nenke), Alfred, Ralph, Millie (Mrs. Rudinger), Charles, Inda, (Mrs. Morris), and Jack, (sons and daughters); Mrs. Fred Holland, Mrs, Ralph Holland, and Mrs. Charles Holland (daughters-in-law); and Gordon, Auckland, Cyril, Arthur, Mort, Stan, Edwin, Lily, and Valda Holland (grand-children).
The Pall Bearers were Messrs. C. W. Chellew. R. Howie, R. Christie, H. C. Kealley, F. E, Piesse and H. E. Quartermaine.

 

Below:  Emily Jane Holland, Grandmother to Hubert and mother of Charlie Holland  died 1938.
The Wagin Argus and Arthur, Dumbleyung, Lake Grace Express (WA) Thursday 20 January 1938 – Page 7 
OBITUARY
THK LATE MRS. EMILY JANE HOLLAND.
Mrs. E. J. Holland, wife of the late Edward Holland (who predeceased her by 4 years at the age of 88), died at “The Avon” Hospital, Cambridge Street, Leederville, on Tuesday, 11th January, at the advanced age of 81 years.
The deceased lady came with her husband and family to Wagin in 1902, from Port Pirie (South Australia). She had a family of fifteen,—9 sons and 6 daughters. Her son, Thomas, was killed at Gallipoli in 1915; Stan and Mick (sons), and Dorrie and Emily (daughters) died at Wagin); and Mrs. J. Drage (Ethel), died at Mt. Barker.
There are now 6 sons and 3 daughters surviving. Alf, Ralph, Charlie and Jack reside in Wagin, and Harry at North Fremantle and Fred in Perth. The daughters are Mrs. J. C. H. Nenke (Clara), of Subiaco; Mrs. W. Rudinger (Millie), Perth; and Mrs. C. Morris (Inda) of Narrogin.
The deceased lady was well known in Wagin and Districts and very highly esteemed, and had a very large circle of friends. She was always ready to assist in any movement for the good of the town and district. In her earlier years in Western Australia, she resided at Wedgecarrup, where her husband and sons were engaged in farming pursuits, but in 1911 she moved into the town of Wagin, where she resided till 1933. During the War period, Mrs. Holland look an active interest in the Red Cross movement and Comforts for Soldiers.
The deceased lady passed away very quickly and quietly, without pain. She was in hospital for an injury to her knee which occurred about a fortnight prior to her demise. After partaking of a hearty meal she told the nurse that she was going to die, and passed away almost immediately after.
The late Mrs. Holland who, at the time of her demise, was residing with her daughter, Mrs. Rudinger in Perth, will be greatly missed by her many friends and relations.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Prosser, Scott & Co., of Hay Street, Subiaco, and the mortal remains of the deceased were interred in the Church of England portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery.
The Pall Bearers were Messrs. Sydney Stubbs, M.L.A.. Leslie Dale, James Burn, Clifford Peek, Chas. Turner, and Leonard Peek,—all very old friends.
The Chief Mourners were Fred, Ralph, Charlie and Jack (sons); Inda (Mrs. Morris), daughter); Effie and Silvy (grand-daughters); Harold Rudinger, and Gordon, Arthur aud Mort Holland (grand-sons); and W. Rudinger (son-in-law).
There was a large attendance of very old friends at the graveside, including Mrs. Walter Watson, Mrs. P. E. Murdoch, Mr. W. Gannaway, Mrs. PFirmin, and many others whose names were not noted.

 

 

Estelle  Holland died in 1979 aged 86.Her husband and Holland’s father, died in 1965.
Holland initially was fireman with WAGR at Bunbury.
After the war Bert married Joan Gladys Cook in 1946 at Fremantle.

They resided in Fremantle where Hubert was a fireman.

In 1972 Electoral Roll, they were residing Norfolk Street, Fremantle and Hubert was working WAGR,

 

 

 

1949 Electoral Roll has Bert living and working Bunbury as Fireman, WAGR.
Hubert Holland died 9 July1995 and was cremated Fremantle Cemetery.  He was 73 years old.

Bert Holland has been connected to Wagin 2/4th

Camp Locations:

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  • Johore Bahru, - Malaysia
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Keijo - Korea ***
  • Omine, Hiroshima #6-B - Japan
  • Saganoseki, Fukuoka #13-D - Japan
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