The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1919-02-22

With American Army in France
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 a soldier of fortune
Holleran refused ito be dumped on
the army scrap heap" as he ex-
pressed it.
In spite Of his physical handicap he
wormed his way into the British air
service, won a pilots license, operat-
ing a type Of plane that did not re-
quire foot manipulation, became lieu
tenant, captain and flight commander.
Some climb for a fellow with wooden
feet, but not surprising if. you knew
Holleran. He had all sorts of thrills
and adventures, and then one day
but am getting ahead of my story.
Better let Capt. E. G. Lowry tell
it as he told it 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 at the London embassy that he
first had the case of Owen Cobb Hol-
leran called to his attention. Captain
Lowry's home also is in Atlanta.
Stranger Than Fiction.
"There Is material for book in
Holleran's experience" said Captain
Lowry. Stranger than fiction in
spots. His papers came to me at the
embassy and he has kept up CORE
spondence. There is lot In the
chap. He is as clever and brave as they
make them. He was employed as
clerk in the office of the Southern
Bell Telephone company in Atlanta.
Like many other young Americans he
wanted to see the great war. 1t 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 between
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 cattle boat was to sail
snext day. They decided to work their
passage. They applied and got the
Job. Reaching London. they were ac-
cepted at q 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 warm
climate. / came from the South and
like 1t hot
"'You can get 1t hot enough at any
vart Of the 'front.' replied the ser
eant. 7 see your point, lad, and
VII see what can be done. With a
nsne like yours think an Irish out
ftv the place for you Holleran was
assmed to the Dublin Fusileers. His
frenl Gray went to the same regi-
: ment. In a few months Holleran's
regimet was sent to Gallipoli. He
served through that campaign and saw
hard fiAting. The regiment went
with othe British units to Egypt to
De refittedafter the Gallipoli scrap.
Het Badly Frozen.
Next Hderan went with the Dub
hn FusileerSanto Serbia with the first
allied expedNpn. In the mountains
many of the soldiers suffered from
frozen feet ara hands. Holleran's
1eet were badly frozen. and he told
me with grin Nat he couldn't help
seeing the funny side Of it after hav-
Wy asked to be seat to a hot place.
rate began to extend helping
nand to Holleran away out there. At
S sscned to the BritishEfield hospital in
ser serbia lave were two Amsican surgeons.
one from Georgia anc the other from
, south Carolina. Learning that Hol-
.eran hailed from Atlanta, they took
special interest in him They did
eve everything possible to save his feet,
out Out. later. to avoid more serious com
am mcauons and possibly death, they
! a'nputated part of each foof
II noneran returned to England,