Remarkable tale of 11 Roma lads in WWI

An extraordinary true story of 11 young men from one extended Roma family who served in the Great War.

Roma Cities Rugby League Club 1914, second from the left, Ernest 'Noog' Holloway, and third from the right, Henry 'Chick' Holloway and seated Second from the left - Arthur Miscamble. Picture: Brian Gilroy

AN extraordinary true story of 11 young men from one extended Roma family who answered the call and served in the Great War has been revealed in a book by author Adam Holloway.

Holloway, a direct descendant, uses personal letters, diaries and family memories to deftly recreate the nail-biting tension as each man experiences his own baptism of fire amid the utter horror of the sights and sounds of battle.

Mr Holloway said the story is extremely relevant in that the Holloway family first came to Roma in the 1880's and lived there for the next 40 years.

"My Great-grandfather Holloway grew up in Roma with his two brothers, they were cousins of the Miscambles, and when the war broke out in 1914 one of the Holloway Cousins, Frank Holloway, was the first man to enlist in Roma,” he said.

"He was at the Landing on 25 April 1915.

"Eventually six young lads from the Roma families and five others from southeast Qld joined to make the 11 all told from my family who answered the call.”

Eleven members of the extended family from Roma that fought in the Great War. Picture: Adam Halloway

During Holloway's research he utilised copies of the Western star dating as far back as the early 1900's to learn about Roma, his family and the hundreds of local lads who went off to fight.

"Many of their letters were transcribed into a column of the Star call 'Our Volunteer Forces', which was very helpful,” he said.

Holloway has been an avid student of Australian military history from an early age, he is a proud great-grandson of an Anzac and equally proud son of a Vietnam veteran.

Mr Holloway said the stories of 11 other Great War relatives fuelled his commitment to honour what these extraordinary men did for the freedom of others.

"This book is as much for my family as it is for every Australian who served in the Great War,” he said.

Duty Nobly Done, Adam Holloway's new book. Picture: Adam Halloway

Duty Nobly Done will have its official launch this Sunday, November 11 at the Bald Hills Memorial Hall in Brisbane, tying in with Remembrance Day.

"It will be an honour to officially launch Duty Nobly Done exactly 100 years after the guns fell silent - in remembrance of all who served,” he said.

"Lest we forget.”

Duty Nobly Done is stocked at Dymocks stores around Australia and can be purchased online at www.bigskypublishing.com.au /books/duty-nobly-done/ and www.booktopia.com.au. /duty-nobly-done-adam-holloway/prod9781925675832.html