The Soldier's Details

Holmes enlisted AIF 30 Oct 1940 later joining ‘D’ Company No. 15 Platoon under Commanding Officer Lt Meiklejohn.  At Singapore, he was transferred to No 16 Platoon – this Platoon especially created because another Vickers Gun was found in Singapore and there were so few soldiers to defend the west coast.

Holmes left Singapore with ‘A’ Force Burma Green Force No. 3 Battalion.

Soldier sent to Tamarkan Hospital Camp, Thailand from Burma with ulcer on his right foot  31 December 1943. He was fortunate to survive as many other ulcer patients died and few survived amputations.  He missed the draft to work in Japan – many of his mates perished in sinking of ‘Rakuyo’ Maru 12 Sept 1944.

Tamarkan Hospital Camp had far better facilities than  the hospital camps on the Railway.

Ken Skinner, from Koorda perished when Rakuyo Maru POW transport ship was torpedoed by American submarines September 1944.

The above was in newspaper October 1943.  Jack Harvey and ‘Spider’ Webb were on the ‘Rakuyo’ Maru and both perished.

Holmes was recovered from Thailand.

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He was one of 4 sons and 2 daughters born to Simon Holmes and Lilian Lowes.  His father died in 1954 and his mother in 1989 in England.

He married in 1952 to Leonora Quirke.  The couple sailed to England, probably to visit families as we believe Leonora was also born in England and possibly came to Australia about 1950.   It is not known how long they remained, but they returned from England on 8 April 1958 on ‘Strathnaver’.

According to Electoral Roles in 1963 Charles and Leonora resided at 41 Weld St, Nedlands, he was a builder.  In 1968 the couple were residing at Exmouth and Charles was Inspector.  In 1980 the couple are back at Weld Street, Nedlands, he is works supervisor.

Charles Holmes died 10 November 1995 aged 82 years and Leonora died in 1997 aged 84 years Nedlands.   Both at are buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.