HOLTON / SYMONS George

Private George Symons (441) - 41st Battalion- alias George Holton.

George joined the 41st Battalion on 15 November 1915 at Bells Paddock, Brisbane, Queensland. He was described as being 19 years old, single, a farmer, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 127 lbs, dark complexion, brown eyes, brown hair, and of the church of England faith. He gave his mother, Edith Holton, 45 Wellington Avenue, Westcliffe, Essex, England as his next of kin.

George was given a "Range Send-off" on 17 March 1916 (Chronicle 24.3.16, p5).

George and his younger brother William embarked at Sydney on 18 May 1916 on board Demosthenes. While at sea on 21 June 1916 he forfeited one day's pay for disobeying an order. His unit disembarked at Plymouth, England on 20 July 1916.

CRIME (Lark Hill Camp - England) - 3 November 1916. While on active service being absent without leave (A.W.L.). With his younger brother William, George went A.W.L. from midnight 3 November to 2 pm 6 November 1916. (62½ hours). Forfeit 12 day's pay.

He proceeded overseas to France from Southampton on 24 November 1916. He was wounded in action (Gunshot wound hand), and sent to the casualty clearing station 7 June 1917. Admitted 56th General Hospital, Etaples. He was later transferred to England and admitted to Exeter Hospital on 13 June 1917.

On 4 July 1917 before returning to the Front, George made a will bequeathing all that he owned to his mother, Mrs. Emily Holton, C/- Mrs. Bryam, 80 Whiteman Road, Harringay, North London, England. Witness: J. B. Nehill (364), AIF Headquarters, London.

George proceeded overseas to France on 8 August 1917 ex Perham Downs. To the front 24 August 1917 where he rejoined his unit 26 August 1917.

George was killed in action, in the field, Belgium on 5 October 1917.

Communication received from A.I.F. Headquarters, London, 9 April 1918.

Documentary evidence has been produced by Mrs. Emily Jane Symons, C/- Mrs. Bryam, 80 Whiteman Road, Harringay, North England, to the effect that the deceased soldiers correct name is SYMONS George not HOLTON George, as recorded on his attestation sheet, and that his father is still living, and is known under the assumed name of Alfred Holton, and is residing at Blackall Range, Mooloolah, North Coast Line, Queensland. He has been recorded as next of kin. His records have been amended accordingly.

Roll of Honour

George Symons also known as George Holton. Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. George's father Alfred Holton, received his Victory Medal (39462), British War Medal (39846), Memorial Plaque and Memorial Scroll.

Letter to Base Records Office, Melbourne, 17 March 1923.

Sir...........Your notice of 5th February re sending of plaque duly reached me at above address "Seacliffe", Brighton Terrace, Sandgate, but the plaque itself has not arrived. I waited until now and have enquired at local Post Office but can learn nothing of its whereabouts. I left the Blackall Range a short time ago, but all letters have been duly forwarded on to me here. Please make enquiries in reference to my boy's (No.441 Pte. HOLTON Geo, 41st Battalion) death at the front, I shall be glad if you will kindly inform me how his personal effects were disposed of, also his deferred pay, the gratuity, etc., whatever he or the next of kin was entitled to receive.

He was not married as far as I know, but may have made a will and everything may be in order, but I have never been informed by the authorities, and will be much obliged if you will furnish me with this information. Yours truly, A. Holton.

Three brothers 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 October1865 in 82 East Street, Marylebone, England. Married Emily Jane Jones on 13 August 1892 at Middlesex, England. Emily Jane Jones born in England. Died 18 February 1949 in 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 Mary Edith Riches (born 30 May 1879 at Wisbeck, Norfolk) and his four sons. She died on 22 December 1931, Brisbane, Queensland.

Alfred Holton (alias) of Highlands, Maleny, Queensland was secretary of the Queensland Farmers Union (Q.F.U.) and involved with the Primary Producers Union (P.P.U.) while living at Maleny. He wrote countless letters to newspapers on this topic and others during the 1920s. By October 1925 he had left Maleny and was living at Bayswater Street, Rosalie, Brisbane, Queensland.

PRIMARY PRODUCERS' UNION - 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.

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.

Family Story - As told to Chrissy Fletcher on 31 January 2015 by George Symons (son of Alfred). Photos supplied by Bryan Symons on 1 February 2015 (son of William).

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.

Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

National Archives. Chronicle 24 March 1916. P5. Family Story - As told to Chrissy Fletcher on 31 January 2015 by George Symons (son of Alfred). Photos supplied by Bryan Symons on 1 February 2015 (son of William).