Pte
Thomas Mitchell Holt

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortejaar:
1895
Geboorteplaats:
Stratford, Victoria, Australië

Algemene Informatie

Laatst gekende woonplaats:
Orbost, Victoria, Australië
Beroep:
Arbeider
Geloof:
Church of England

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Australië
Strijdmacht:
Australian Imperial Force
Rang:
Private
Service nummer:
6863
Dienstneming datum:
09/03/1916
Dienstneming plaats:
Melbourne, Victoria, Australië
Eenheden:
 —  Australian Infantry, 5th Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
20/09/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Black Watch Corner, Zonnebeke, België
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
22

Gedenkplaats

Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
Paneel: Bay 7 stone R

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille
Victory Medal
Medaille

Points of interest 4

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Laatst gekende woonplaats
#3 Dienstneming plaats
#4 Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering)

Mijn verhaal

Private Thomas Mitchell Holt worked as labourer in the city of Orbost, Victoria when he enlisted with the 5th Battalion AIF, part of the First Australian Division, 2nd Brigade.
During the bitterly cold winter of 1916 Gilbert was sent to hospital with trench feet and was evacuated to England. Shortly after rejoining the 5th Battalion, he suffered shrapnel wounds to the face on the 23 February 1917.

During April 1917 Thomas Mitchell joined the 5th Battalion in the field with his younger brother Gilbert Holt.
From then on the two brothers served together and went into an attack together in Belgium on the 20th September 1917.

That day the 1st Australian Division attacked at 05.40 a.m. in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge (20-25 September 1917) part of the Battle of Passchendaele.
The 6th Battalion attacked with the 5th Battalion in support and crossed Glencorse Wood with little difficulty.
The attack was taken over by the 5th Battalion. The pillboxes on their front mostly surrendered without a shot being fired, but they outflanked a blockhouse which was causing the 23rd Division some difficulty, and then went on to the Blue Line, taking Verbeeck Farm on the way. Consolidation began, but they were fired on from Black Watch Corner. A party was sent out to take the pillbox, and did so with little difficulty.

Up to six eye witnesses stated that one of the brothers was wounded, generally agreed to be Thomas Holt. Gilbert was assisting stretcher bearers to carry his brother back to a dressing station when the whole party was hit by another artillery shell, instantly killing both brothers.

Neither of the Holt boys has a known grave.
Private Thomas Mitchell Holt, 22 years of age is remembered on the Ypres Menin Gate Memorial, bay 7 stone R

Connectie's met andere militairen 1

Bestanden 1

Maps Bekijken

Bronnen 8

"Passchendaele, The Day-by-Day Account",McCarthy C., Arms&ArmourPress, London, 1995, page 80-81"
Gebruikte bronnen
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/924289/thomas-mitchell-holt/
Gebruikte bronnen
Service Record
https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=5823014
Gebruikte bronnen
The AIF Project
https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=141924
Gebruikte bronnen
The Australian War Memorial
https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search/people?people_preferred_name=Holt&people_service_number=6863&people_unit=
Gebruikte bronnen
The Long Long Trail
http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/1st-australian-division/
Gebruikte bronnen
War Diary 2nd Brigade
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1346442
Gebruikte bronnen
War Diary 5th Battalion
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1342302
Gebruikte bronnen