Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-02-07

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 "to 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 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 I am getting ahead Of my story.
Better let Capt. r. G. Lowry tell
1t as he told it to me on rainy
night while 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 n 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 a lot in the
chap. He is as clever and brave as they
make them. He was employed as q
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 d crossing policeman they
learned that a cattle boat was to sail
next day. They decided to work thcii
passage. They applied and got the
Job. Reaching London, they We're &C
copied Mt a recruiting station in Scot
land Yard. The recruiting sergean
wanted to know what branch of thu
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 warn
climate l came from the South AM
l like 1t hot
"'You can get 1t hot enough at an,
part of the 'front.' replied the ser
geant I see Your point, lad, AM
we'll see what can be done. With
name like yours | think an Irish out
fit is the place for YOU. Holleran wa
assigned to the Dublin Fusileers. Hi
friend Gray went to the same rcgi
ment. In Il few months IIolleran'
= regiment was sent to Galipoli. III
served through that campaign and saw
hard fighting. The regiment wen
with other British units to Egypt T.
be refitted after the Gallipoli scrap.
Feet Badly Frozen.
"NeXt liolleran went with the Dul
{ lin FusileerS into Serbia with the frs
allied expedition. In the mountain
many of the soldiers suffered frol
frozen feet and hands. Holeran
feet were badly frozen, and he tol
me with grin that he couldn't hel
h seeing the funny side of it after ha'
Ing asked TO he sent to a hot place.
Fate began to extend u hclpin
hand to IIolleran away out there. a
G tached to the British field hospital i
,, Serbia were two American surgeons
I one from Georgia and the other frol
}. South Carolina. Learning that Ho
/ leran hailed from Atlanta, they too
e special interest in him. They d
$ everything possible TO save his fee
: but, later, To avoid more serious cor
u pllcations and possibly death, the
" amputated part of each foot.
"iiolleran returned to Englan