HOLDER, David

David, the thirty-seven-year-old son of Thomas and Rose Holder, was working as a Groom at Graman, north of Inverell when he enlisted in October 1915.  He listed his uncle William Nichols as next of kin. He was one of eight volunteers given a Farewell at the Inverell School of Arts Hall where they were presented with the Inverell medal and woollen socks. The following day a large crowd assembled at the railway station to give these men a final farewell.

David became a member of the 1st Light Horse Regiment, 18th Reinforcement and departed from Australia for Egypt on HMAT A20 Hororata in May 1916. During the next few months, he became unwell and was in and out of hospital until the decision was made to invalid him back to Australia. His journey home was long – first by hospital ship to Durban, to await transport to Cape Town where he was admitted to hospital for several weeks until embarking on the ship Ceramic for Australia where he was medically discharged in November 1917.

David was given a ‘Welcome Home’ at the Graman Hall and presented with a gold medal and a purse of sovereigns. He lived in the Graman district for many years and died in Sydney in 1956. His name is recorded on the Graman Honor Roll. His younger brother, Edward, also served during WWI.