The L'Anse sentinel., 1919-01-10

With American Army In France
Loss Of one foot and part of the 9th
er did not end the fighting career Of
Owen Cobb Holleran of Atlanta, Ga.
A man with artificial feet Is unfit for
infantry duty, so Owen was hOnorably
discharged from that branch of the
service. Being soldier of fortune
Holleran refused Ito be dumped on
the army scrap heap" as he ex-
pressed 1t.
In spite Of his physical handicap he
wormed his way into the British air
service, won pilots license, Operat-
ing a type of plane that did not re-
quire foot manipulation. became q lieu
tenant, captain and flight commander
Some climb for a fellow with wooden
feet, but not surprising IL you knew
Holleran. He had all sorts of thrills
and adventures, and then one day
but l am getting ahead of my story.
Better let Capt. e. G. Lowry tell
1t as he told 1t to me on rainy
night while l was with the British
army. He was attached to the Amer
lean embassy in London before enter
Ing the United States army. 1t was
while Mt the London embassy that he
first had the case of Owen Cobb Hol-
leran called to his attention. Captain
Lowry's home also is I'm Atlanta.
Stranger Than Fiction.
There is material for book In
IIOlleran's experience" said Captain
Lowry. stranger than fiction in
spots. His papers came to me at the
embassy and he has kept up a corre-
spondence. There is lot in the
chap. He is as clever and brave as they
make them. He was employed as d
clerk in the office of the Southern
Bell Telephone company In Atlanta.
Like many other young Americans he
wanted to see the great war. It got
into his blood long before our coun-
try was involved. In 1915 he started
out from Atlanta with friend named
Gray. They had just 500 betw cen
them for the big adventure. They
went to New York and tried to enlist
In the British army. but the consul
said he couldn't enroll Americans.
"From crossing policeman they
learned that n cattle boat was to sail
next day. They decided to work their
passage. They applied and got the
job. Reaching London. they were ac-
cepted mt recruiting station in Scot
land Yard. The recruiting sergeant
wanted to know what branch of the
service they preferred. Holleran re-
piled: NO choice. Just as soon serve
In one branch as the other. My only
request is that you send us to a warm
climate. / came from the South and
/ like II hot
"'You can get It hot enough at any
part of the 'front.' replied the ser
geant. I see your point, lad. and
Wen see what can be done. With
name like yours / think an Irish out
fit is the place for YOU Holleran was
assigned to the Dublin Fusileers. His
friend Gray went to the same rcgi-
ment. In few months Holleran's
regiment was sent to Gallipoli. He
served through that campaign and saw
hard fighting. The regiment went
with other British units to Egypt to
be refitted after the Gallipoli scrap.
Feet Badly Frozen.
"Next Holleran went with the Dub
lin Fusileers into Serbia with the first
allied expedition. In the mountains
many of the soldiers suffered from
frozen feet and hands. Holleran's
feet were badly frozen, and he told
me with grin that he couldn't help
seeing the funny side of 1t after hav-
Ing asked to be sent to a hot place.
"Fnte began to extend a helping
hand to Holleran away out there. At
tached to the British field hospital In
Serbia were two American surgeons.
one from Georgia and the other from
South Carolina. Learning that Hol-
lernn hailed from Atlanta, they took
special interest In him. They did
everything possible to save his feet,
hut. later. to avoid more serious com
pIications and possibly death. they
amputated part of each foot.
"Holleran returned to England,