1914-1915 Star : Able Seaman E.L. Holman

Images(4)

1914-1915 Star : Able Seaman E.L. Holman

Date1914-1918

Object number00045215

NameMedal

MediumMetal, cloth

DimensionsOverall: 110 x 44 x 2 mm, 27.3 g

ClassificationsCoins and medals

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionThis World War I campaign medal was awarded to Able Seaman Edwin Lawrence Holman, born 9 March 1879 in St Mary's, Sussex, England and who served in the Royal Australian Navy in 1915-1916. Holman was formerly an Able Seaman in the British Royal Navy. His service record shows that he served in the Sydney depot ship HMAS PENGUIN and was then sent to HMAS CERBERUS (a guardship and munitions store) in Victoria for training in service in Armed Merchant vessels. His service number was 4888 and he is described as being 5' 8 ½ " tall, with dark brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion; he had tattoo marks on both arms. Holman's ribbon bar and other medals (British War Medal and Victory Medal) are also held in the museum's collection.HistoryThe 1914-15 Star was authorised for issue in 1918 to those who served in France and Flanders from 23 November 1914 to 31 December 1915, and to those who served in any other operational theatre from 5 August 1914 to 31 December 1915. It is a four-pointed star of bronze, ensigned with a crown, The obverse (front) has crossed gladius (swords) overlaid with a wreath of oak which is ensigned with the cypher of King George V. A scroll bearing 1914-15 is centrally placed across the crossed blades. The ribbon has the red, white and blue colours of the British Empire in shaded and watered stripes. Edwin Holman was born in England to Frederick and Charlotte Holman and was brother to Mabel, Alice and Norah; his father was a tailor. After his service in the Royal Australian Navy is seems he stayed on in Australia and in 1938 married Minnie Iris Newman at Annandale, Sydney, New South Wales; she was 23 years his junior. Minnie was the daughter of David and Catherine Newman; she was born at Boorowa (near Young, New South Wales) in 1902. Edwin worked for the NSW Tramways and died at Rockdale on 21 January 1956; he is buried at Rookwood cemetery. Minnie died in 1971.