MR HOLMAN'S ESCAPE.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1917, Page 4

MR HOLMAN'S ESCAPE.

FtO-W GENERAL -HO-LMES WA S

KILLED,

Mr Holman (Premier of New South Wales) has thus described the accident on the Western frontWe were passing a battery of anti-aircraft guns, which were engaging a hostile aeroplane. I said :—“ This is exciting. Let’s watch.” Major-General Holmes stopped the car, and We got oiit and watched the encounter for several minutes, until a shell fell in a neighbouring paddobk 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 for a quarter of a mile. We were again watching the duel when a third shell fell, killing General Holmes. This was probably a loose shell, Rimed at-the anti-aircra ft guns, or a random shot intended to search for British positions Other accounts of the death of Major General Holmes ou the West front state that the party motored up to vicinity of Ploegsteert Wood, intending to go along the flank df the wood. Major-General Holmes, however, considered this route somewhat of a “ hot spot,” and said, “ We will go along the base of the wood.” A shell fell about thirty yards Away. A second one fell some distance from it. The fatal shell fell after the party had left the ear. It seemed as if the Germans were searching for an aircraft battery or ammunition dumps, as the shells fell as if the guns were sweeping in an ar*c. The party left the car, leaving the ehaffeur 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 were knocked flat on the ground. When Mr Hoi man 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, renting on his hands and knees, staring ahead, apparently unable to move or speak. They lifted him up, and carried him to the car. He had a gaping wound in the 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 Holman was not hit, nor any other members of the party. The chaffeui* was thrown forward on the bonnet of the car, but, was not injured. ■ T.he shell fell on solid rock, and made a hole several inches deep. The hood of the car was wrecked, Major-General Holmes was placed in the car and conveyed to a dressing station.

Major-General Holmes’s death caused profound regret in the division. Hie son and son-in-law attended the funeral, also nearly all the general officers, aiid representatives of nearly all the units of the division, It was an impressive ceremony, the Australians in his immediate command providing the firing party. Mr Holman, who is none thn worse for his experiences, pays a tribute to Major-General Holmes’s fearlessness. He says that New South Wnles has lost an officer of undoubted taleut.