HOLTON / SYMONS Francis

AKA Francis SYMONS Private Francis Symons (317) –. Alias Francis Holton born Essex, England.

Francis enlisted at Brisbane, Queensland, 8 April 1916 with 11th Machine Gun Company (3rd Reinforcements), under the assumed name of Francis Holton. He was described as being 21 years old, single, a farmer, 6 feet tall, 143lbs, dark complexion, dark brown eyes, dark brown hair, and of the Church of England faith. He gave his father, Alfred Holton, Maleny, Blackall Range, Queensland as his next of kin.

While at the Seymour training camp, Victoria on 18 September 1916, his commanding officer certified that his Attestation was correct and all forms had been complied with.

Francis embarked at Melbourne, per A73 Commonwealth on 19 September 1916, disembarking at Plymouth, England 14 November 1916. He was marched out to Machine Gun training depot, Grantham, England on 23 November 1916. He proceeded overseas to France per SS Invicta on 1 March 1917. He was wounded in action on 30 June 1917 with a severe gunshot wound to both thighs. He embarked for England on hospital ship St David and admitted to Racecourse Hospital, Cheltenham on 6 July 1917. He was discharged on 31 August 1917 and admitted to No.3 A.A.H, Dartford on 1 September and discharged 5 September 1917 (5 Days). He was then admitted to No. 2 Aus. Command, Weymouth on 6 September discharged 21 September 1917 (15 Days).

MEDICAL HISTORY OF AN INVALID – 11 December 1917 - Station: Belton Park. Was in France 4/12. Wounded through both thighs. No trouble from wounds now but complains of shortness of breath and general weakness. Has lost 6lbs in five weeks. Weight now 12st 6lbs. Not able to march. Could not march 6 miles today with a pack, quite knocked up afterwards. Francis was found to be permanently unfit for general service and permanently unfit for home service.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION - 14 December 1917 - Grantham Military Hospital Laboratory Report: Tuberculosis found in considerable numbers. Francis returned to Australia from England per H.T. Balmoral Castle for discharge on 1 February 1918. He disembarked 30 March 1918.

STANTHORPE MILITARY SANATORIUM - Francis's health unfortunately necessitated he be sent to the Soldiers Sanatorium Hospital at Stanthorpe immediately he returned to Australia to convalesce. He was admitted on 14 April 1918 suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The Tuberculosis sanatorium was established at Kyoomba, Stanthorpe circa. 1917.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION - 30 May 1918 - Disease of both lungs especially left. There has been some improvement since admission on 14 April 1918 but he has been incapable of any exercise on account of raised temperature.

The Chronicle 7 June 1918 reported on the welcome home social for Pte W Holton and mentioned that they had hoped to also welcome his brother Francis but his health unfortunately necessitated in his being sent to the Soldiers Sanatorium at Stanthorpe immediately he returned. Photo: Picture Queensland No.438232 - Sister Pilbean with Privates Solomon and Holton, inside the Stanthorpe Military Hospital Tent. .

STATUTORY DECLARATION - 7 July 1918 - I Francis Holton do solemnly declare that my correct name is Francis SYMONS, born 19 June 1895 at Cricklewood, England. Declared at Stanthorpe Military Hospital, Queensland.

Francis was discharged at Brisbane, medically unfit, 18 October 1918.

He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Francis died at the Stanthorpe Sanatorium on 22 June 1919 and is buried in the Stanthorpe Cemetery, Queensland.

MALENY SOLDIERES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL. The hospital building is a memorial to fallen soldiers, and was built entirely by money raised and subscribed in the district without Government assistance. The hospital treated all returned soldiers who enlisted from the district free of charge. In honour of those who served an honour board was unveiled in February 1924. The honour board is a magnificent piece of workmanship, and contains about 90 names of the township’s and districts soldiers, 13 of whom paid the supreme sacrifice. Nambour Chronicle & North Coast Advertiser 15 February 1924.

PLAQUE - The four Holton brothers lived in the Maleny District and enlisted in the AIF under that name. It has been established from official records that their correct family name was Symons. Their father had assumed the surname of Holton when he migrated with his sons from England to Australia in 1911. The above information and documentary evidence was supplied by members of the Symons family.

Three brothers who served under the surname Holton. Alfred James Holton (2823) ANZAC Battalion. William Herbert Holton (426) 41st Battalion. Francis Holton (317) 11th Machine Gun Company.

PARENTS - Alfred Holton born 25 October 1865 in 82 East Street, Marylebone, England. He married Emily Jane Jones on 13 August 1892 at Middlesex, England. Emily Jane Jones born in England died on 18 February 1949 - Sutton Road cemetery Southend-on-Sea.

Children:
May Symons. Francis Symons 1895 – 1919. Alfred James Symons 1896 – 1981. George Symons 1900 – 1917. William Herbert Corrie Symons 1902 – 1970.

Alfred left his wife Emily in England with daughter May and emigrated to Australia with de facto Mary Edith Riches (born 30 May 1879 at Wisbeck, Norfolk) and his four sons. She died on 22 December 1931, Brisbane, Queensland. The Australian Census of 1919 shows Alfred (Dairy Farmer) and Edith (Home Duties) living on the Blackall Range, Mooloolah. They moved to Bayswater Road, Rosalie around 1925. Edith is shown as a shop keeper. In 1958 Alfred returned to Mapleton Road, Nambour. Alfred died on 3 July 1961 at Annerley, Brisbane. Father: Alfred Symons. Mother: Hannah Miller.

Immigration: George and Francis (Age 16) Holton arrived in Brisbane on board WAIPARA from London on 5 July 1911.

An article by A. Holton that appeared in The Brisbane Courier on 9 October 1919. At a meeting of Obi Obi farmers, held on Tuesday, Mr. A. Holton (organiser of the Primary Producers' Union) expounded the policy and platform of that organisation. He first dealt with the pressing need for organisation amongst all engaged in primary production, which had led up to the combination of the existing foundation members - the United Cane Growers, the United Graziers, and the Q.F.U., which, he claimed, formed a very representative body of primary producers. The P.P.U. was a purely, political organisation, and in no way controlled or interfered with the industrial side of the various associations composing it. Further, whilst these organisations formed the foundation members, it was by no means exclusively confined to them, due provision being made for the inclusion and representation on the executive of all other associations engaged in primary production. He contended that a distinct Country Party was necessary. He outlined the platform and policy of the P.P.U., and said that while there was no sense of antagonism to the N.D.C. they were determined, nevertheless, to contest the country electorates with men of their own choice, selected by plebiscite.

He wrote countless letters to the newspapers during the 1920s. In The Brisbane Courier, 2 February 1922 he placed an ad for lad wanted for dairy farm, quick good milker no other need apply. A. Holton, Balmoral, Maleny. Alfred Holton left the Maleny district not long after.

By October 1925 he had left Maleny and was living at Bayswater Street, Rosalie, Brisbane, Queensland. Edith Holton, a proprietor, late of Kalinga, Brisbane wife of Alfred Holton, died on 22 December 1931. Claimant, Alfred Holton of West End, Brisbane.

FAMILY STORY - The father of the four boys was Mr Symons. He left England with a de facto wife and his four sons and emigrated to Qld in 1803. He deserted his wife and daughter, telling the boys that the lady was their aunt and that their mother and sister would be joining them shortly. First the family settled at Crows Nest and then shortly after to Maleny, where he took up 160 acres on the escarpment. The plan was to settle the sons on the land at Maleny. The father and de facto had an illegitimate son born at Maleny and registered birth at Mooloolah.

As the boys got to their teenage years they realized their aunt was actually their father’s de facto and that they weren’t going to see their mother and sister again. Furious with their father they all agreed to join the army to get away from him.

Once they arrived overseas the boys took furlough in England and saw their mother and sister once only. The mother died a pauper and she and the sister stayed close together all their lives.

The two remaining boys stayed close and never saw their father again. Bill was with his young son in Brisbane city one day and saw his father from afar. He said to the boy “there is your grandfather” and when the boy said “let’s go and say hello”, he replied “Never!”

George said there is an illuminated scroll at Landsbrough Museum (don’t know of this) and commemorations at Caloundra RSL, Mooloolah and Maleny Hospital. George added the plaque explaining that the boys are actually Symons and not Holton.

The Holton name was one of the Christian names of their father, being a family name for a female side. He dropped the name Symons when he emigrated, obviously to make it more difficult to be found.

As told to Chrissy Fletcher 31 January 2015 by George Symons. Chrissy spoke to Bryan on 1 February 2015 who then very kindly emailed photos. Photos supplied by Bryan Symons, son of William on 1 February 2015 .

Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Maleny Roll of Honor, Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Bean Street, Maleny

Mooloolah, Glenview & Highlands Honour Board, Mooloolah Memorial Hall, Bray Road, Mooloolah

Mooloolah, Glenview and Highlands Board (Supreme Sacrifice), Mooloolah Memorial Hall, Bray Road, Mooloolah

Shire of Landsborough Roll of Honour, Caloundra RSL, West Terrace, Caloundra

Nambour (Maroochy Shire) Roll of Honor Scroll, Private Collection, Nambour (this scroll was available for sale to the public after the war)(as A Holton)

National Archives. The Chronicle 7 June 1918. The Brisbane Courier 2 February 1922. Photo: Picture Queensland No.438232 - Sister Pilbean with Privates Solomon & Holton, inside the Stanthorpe Military Hospital Tent. Photo: Stanthorpe Military Hospital State Library Qld Photos supplied by Bryan Symons, son of William on 31 January 2015. Family Story by George Symons 31 January 2015.