Charles Holled (Smith) Holled Smith (1846 - 1925)

Born 12 Sep 1846 in Romsey, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Maud Mary Fearnley (Whittingstall) Smith — married 1883 in Kensington, Middlesex, England

Died 18 Mar 1925 at age 78 in Hove, Sussex, England, United Kingdom

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Biography

MAJ GEN Sir Holled Smith

Charles (Smith) Holled Smith is Notable.

Major General Sir Charles Holled Smith KCMG CB was born on 12th September 1846 in the historic market town of Romsey, Hampshire, England, United Kingdom. He was the youngest son of Charles Sergison Smith Esq. and his first wife, Georgiana Gardner, ^[1] and a great grandson of Rear Admiral Sir Alan Gardner, 1st Baron Gardner. Charles Junior's mother died when he was just two years of age. He was educated at Shrewsbury.

Military career

Charles entered the British Army in 1865 having been commissioned Second Lieutenant and was promoted to Captain in 1877, Brevet Major in 1882, Brevet Lieutenant Colonel in 1885, and Brevet Colonel in 1888.

He served in the Zulu and Boer Wars, 1879-1881 (Mentioned in Despatches, South Africa Medal with Clasp); Egyptian War, 1882 (Mentioned in Despatches, Egypt Medal with Clasp, Khedive’s Star); Nile Expedition, 1884-1885 (Mentioned in Despatches, Clasp); Soudan, 1885-1886; Suakin, 1888 (Mentioned in Despatches, Clasp); and Tokar, 1891 (Clasp, Khedive’s Star, Order of Medjidie 2nd Class).

Aged 37 years, Charles married Maud Whitttingstall, fifteen years his junior, in 1883 in Kensington, London. ^[2] Although the couple did not subsequently have children, Maud was a strong support to her husband as he entered a new career phase; that of commandant and diplomat.

Charles was appointed governor of Red Sea Littoral (Order of Osmanieh 2nd Class) and commandant at Suakin, 1888-1892. ^[3]

Colonial commandant

In late 1894 Charles was appointed Commandant of the Victorian Colonial Military Force and was promoted Major General. He was created Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) and Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB). ^[3]

When Charles visited his peer and friend in Sydney, The Argus published the following report on 14th September 1895 (edited and condensed for brevity) in support of the closer relationships between the colonies' defence forces: ^[4]

"COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET, SYDNEY, FRIDAY.

"As a compliment to Sir Charles Holled Smith, the Victorian commandant, who is at present the guest of Major General Hutton, a parade of the permanent sections of the artillery forces was held at Moore Park this morning.

"Sir Charles was afterwards entertained at a luncheon at the artillery officers' mess, several prominent gentlemen being amongst those asked to meet the guest.

"Major General Hutton presided, and in proposing the health of his friend ... regarded the present visit of Sir Charles as a sign of goodwill on the part of Victoria, and as likely to have the effect of bringing the military forces of Victoria and New South Wales towards each other. The Premier of New South Wales last year initiated what they (the soldiers) looked forward to as a system of co-operative defence for all the colonies ... he hoped that Sir Charles Holled Smith would promote what all the commandants looked forward to. Mr Reid also spoke, and said that though many had stated that the presence of distinguished Imperial soldiers was not required in Australia, still ... it was a grand thing for the colonies to have the advantage and knowledge of cultured soldiers.

"The toast, with which was coupled that of the 'Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Men of the Victorian forces', was drunk most enthusiastically, cheers also being given for Lady Rolled Smith.

"On being interviewed afterwards Sir Charles, in speaking of the defence works at Port Phillip Heads, said that they were splendidly designed, especially the large field of mines through which it ought to be impossible for an enemy to break throughly. He expressed a firm opinion also that the colonies ought to unite to provide a central powder manufactury in the country so as to be able to meet such an emergency as supplies from abroad being stopped ... The danger of an attack by Japan on Australia was to his mind somewhat remote, as that country had its hands pretty full at home."

It is possible that Charles did more than any other to establish Australia's Light Horse when, in 1899 in publicly declaring his support of the idea of an Australian force for the Second Boer War stated that Mounted Rifles, as opposed to cavalry or infantry, were "essentially the arm for Australia. They know the country to be operated over, and they can ride". ^[5]

Sir Charles and Lady Smith retired to England in November 1899. ^[6] He was 53 years of age but, apparently, unlikely to gain further promotion. He may simply have no longer sought the military life.

Nothing is known of Charles during his lengthy retirement; some 25 years. Did he take on directorships? Did he take up farming? What were his views on The Great War of 1914-1919?

Final battle

Maud passed away, aged 56 years, in 1917 in Steyning, West Sussex.

Sir Charles passed away, aged 78 years, on 18th March 1925 in the seaside resort of Hove, East Sussex ^[7] and is buried nearby in Saint Helen's Churchyard, Hangleton. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ UK FreeBMD Birth Index Dec qtr 1846, vol 7, page 194
2. ↑ UK FreeBMD Marriage Index Sep qtr 1883, vol 1a, page 45
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Prabook: Charles Holled Smith; accessed 3 May 2020
4. ↑ The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Sat 14 Sep 1895 Page 7 SIR CHARLES HOLLED SMITH AT SYDNEY; accessed 17 Sep 2023
5. ↑ Victorian Collections; accessed 17 Sep 2023
6. ↑ The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Sat 11 Nov 1899 Page 14 SIR CHARLES HOLLED-SMITH'S DEPARTURE; accessed 17 Sep 2023
7. ↑ UK FreeBMD Death Index Mar qtr 1925, vol 2b, page 439
8. ↑ Find-a-Grave: Charles Holled Smith; accessed 3 May 2020

See also

• GROUP PORTRAIT OF THE PERMANENT STAFF, VICTORIAN MILITARY FORCES, TAKEN MELBOURNE, VIC, c1897; accessed 17 Sep 2023.