MR. HOLMAN'S ESCAPE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3138, 17 July 1917, Page 5

MR. HOLMAN'S ESCAPE

HOW GENERAL HOLMES WAS KILLED. Mr. Holman (Premier of New South Wales) has thus described the accident on the Western front:—We were .passing a battery of anti-aircraft guns, which wero engaging a hostile aeroplane. I said: "This is exciting. Let's watch. Major-General Holmes stopped the car, and we got out and watch tho-encouriter Tor some minutes, until a shell fell in a neighbouring paddock. General Holmes said "They have spotted you, Holman.' Another shell fell in the same locality. General Holmes said "This is unhealthy. Let us move," and we proceeded fi:r a quarter of a mile. We were again watching the duel when a third shell fell, telling General Holmes. This was probably a looso shell, aimed at the anti-aircraft guns, or a. random shot intended to search for British positions. Other accounts ot the death of MajorGeneral Holmes on the West front stato that the party motored up to the vicinity of Ploegsteert Wood, intending to go along the Sank of the wood. MajorGeneral Holmes, however, considered this route somewhat of a "hot spot," and said

"we will go along the base of tho wood." A shell fell about thirty yards away. A second one fell some distance from it. Tho fatal shell fell after the party had left the car. It seemed, as if the Germans were searching for an aircraft battery or ammunition dumps, as the shells fell as if tho guns were sweeping in in arc. Tho party left tho car, leaving the chauffeur in charge, and were standing fairly close together when a shell fell about ten to fifteen yards away, and exploded with a terrific' report. All the party wero knocked flat on tho. ground. When Mr. Holman recovered himself, in a dense cloud of dust, he said to Mr. Edwards, his secretary: "The General is badly hit." Both went to Major-General Holmes, who was found in a kneeling position, re.sUng on his hands and knees, staring ahead, apparently unable to move or speak. They lifted him up, and carried him4;o the car. He had a gaping wound in tho back, which was bleeding freely. A subsequent examination showed that a piece of shell had pierced the lower back, near the spine. It passed upwards, and onwards through the chest. Death must have been instantaneous Mr. lloltfian was not hit, nor any other members of' the party.. The chauffeur was thrown forward on, tho bonnet of tho car, but was not injured. The slioll fell,on solid rock, and made a liolo several inches deep. The lioo'd of tho car was wrecked. 1 Major-General Holmes was placed tin the car and conveyed to a dressing station.

Major-General Holmes's, death caused profound Tegret in tho division. His son and son-in-law attended tho funeral, also nearly all the general officers, and representatives of nearly all the units of the division. It was an impressive ceremony, tho Australians in liis immediate command providing the iiring party. Mr. Holman, who is none the worse for his exoeriences, pays a tribute fo Major-Genpral Holmes's fearlessness. JTe says that New South Wales lias lost an officer of undoubted talent. ,