Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

HOLLAMBY Robert Clark - 15357

Robert was the son of John HOLLAMBY & Caroline Alice CLARK and was born on the 14th of March 1889 in Avenue Range, near Lucindale, SA.

His father was a farmer

Robert was the first child born into the family of 5 children.

His parents were married on the 29th of May 1888 in the Wesleyan Church, Naracoorte, SA.
His father was the son of Robert HOLLAMBY & Isabella NICOLS and was born on the 8th of February 1861 in Bulls Creek, SA.
His mother was the daughter of John CLARK & Sarah CRAMPTON and was born on the 1st of February 1868 in Pt MacDonnell, SA.

His father had leased sections 88 & 213, Hundred of Townsend, containing large acreage.
This land was located on the west side of Conricks Road and the Old Coach Road runs though the property. The area was known as Avenue Range and is approximately 8 kms North West of Lucindale.

Robert gained a sister; Sarah Lockhart, on the 15th of April 1892.

His father then relinquished the lease of the property in Avenue Range in March 1894 and moved the family to Macclesfield, where Robert gained a brother; Cecil Roy, on the 20th of May 1895 in Macclesfield, SA.

Robert gained another sister; Alice Beulah, on the 21st of January 1896 and then his last sibling; David Ewart, was born on the 4th of August 1898.

In 1906 his father purchased section 26, Hundred of Macclesfield, containing 143 acres for £429.
This land is located on the south east corner of Banksia Road & Macgillivray Lane (now Longview Vineyard)

Robert and his siblings attended the Macclesfield public school.

In 1916 his parents purchased allotments 23 & 24, Hill Street, Mt Barker and the family moved to Mt Barker.
These allotments are located on the south corner of Hill Street & Adelaide Road (now the units “Pevensey Close”, 1 Hill Street, Mt Barker.

Robert gained employment as a motor driver.

His brother Cecil enlisted into the 23rd Howitzer Brigade, 10th Reinforcement on the 19th of October 1916 and was allotted the service number 32520.

Robert married Amy Wedd CLEGGETT on the 24th of April 1915 in St Paul’s Church, Hahndorf.
Amy was the daughter of James CLEGGETT & Priscilla POTTER and was born on the 12th of October 1889 in Mt Barker, SA.

They made their first home at 22 Kent Road, Keswick and welcomed their first child; Edith Gwen, on the 3rd of April 1917.

At the age of 28, Robert Clark, enlisted into the 1st Machine Gun Battalion on the 11th of June 1917 in Adelaide and was allotted the service number 15357.
He listed his wife as his next of kin.

Then the following month on the 2nd of July his youngest brother; David Ewart, enlisted into the 5th Pioneer Battalion, 10th Reinforcement (3857).
Robert was entrained at the Mitcham Camp before being transferred to Victoria on the 6th of September 1917.

On the 25th of October he was transferred to the Motor Transport Special Draft in Broadmeadows.

Robert embarked from Melbourne n board the HMAT A60 Aeneas on the 30th of October 1917. He was admitted to the ships hospital on the voyage suffering from Mumps.
He disembarked in Devonport, England on the 27th of December.
The following day he was admitted to the 4th Southern General Hospital in Plymouth where he spent the next 6 weeks before being transferred to the training depot in Sutton Veny.

Robert proceeded to France on the 6th of March 1918, disembarking in Havre and was taken on strength with the 2nd Australian Siege Battery on the 29th of March.
The following month Robert was transferred to the 6th Australian Mechanical Transport Company and then transferred to the 3rd Australian Mechanical Transport Company in May.

His brother David died of pneumonic influenza in the 41st Casualty Clearing Station, Le Cateau, France on the 12th of December 1918.
It is unknown if Robert saw his brother before he died as Robert was actually based in Le Cateau at the time of David’s death.

Robert’s unit was demobilisation and Robert disembarked in England on the 19th of June 1919.

Robert embarked for Australia on the 1st of August 1919, disembarking in Adelaide on the 18th of September and was discharged from service on the 18th of October.

By 1920 Robert & Amy had moved and were renting at 6 Burlington Street, Walkerville and Robert was employed as a Motor Mechanic.

On the 13th of April 1924 Robert was driving a motor car along Northcote Terrace when he collided with a horse and trap driven by Mr. William Thomas Parsons, of Greenacre Estate, Medindie.
Mr Parson’s wife and three children were also in the trap.
Mr. Parsons descended from the buggy to ascertain if any damage had been sustained, but the horse bolted. The buggy crashed into an electric light pole and all the occupants were thrown out. Their little 3 week old infant was mortally wounded and died soon after.
On the 15th of April Robert was brought before the court and charge with manslaughter.
In July, Robert was finally acquitted of the manslaughter charge.

They welcomed their second child; Colin Ewart, on the 16th of August 1924.

Colin followed in his fathers footsteps and became a motor engineer.
Colin enlisted into the 10th Australian Advanced Workshops on the 4th of May 1943 and was allotted the service number SX29608.
When Colin returned from the war he went home to live with his parents.

Robert was a member of the Murray Bridge RSL Sub Branch (S3035).
In 1948 Robert & Amy finally purchased the home they had been living in for the past 28 years.

Robert died on the 3rd of August 1959 in Walkerville and is buried in the North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth.

Amy remained in the family home with their son Colin.
Amy died on the 9th of February 1966 in Mannigham, St Peters and is buried in the North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth.