Family background
James Vincent Holt was born in 1890 at Murrurundi NSW, son of James Hussey Holt and Mary nee Purcell. In 1920 he married Celia Adeline Rampling at the Catholic Church Barraba. He died at Campsie on 21 December 1955, aged 65 years. Celia Holt died on 14 January 1943 at 136 Glebe Street, Glebe, aged 47 years.
Occupation & interests
In 1916 when Holt enlisted in the AIF to serve in World War 1 he gave his occupation as bushman and carpenter, and as a driver in the army. He returned to Australia in 1919, and from 1930 resided in Mitchell Street and Glebe Point Road Glebe and worked as a storeman, railway employee and a boilermaker’s assistant.
Community activity
There was a discernible difference in the manner and dress of the new aldermen after 1925 when the Labor Party wrested control of Glebe Council from local businessmen. Several, including Holt, wore a blue flannel shirts to work.
Local government service
Holt was an alderman on Glebe Council for two terms: 1927-28 and 1937-39. He was first elected at a by-election on 11 April 1927, created by the death of Arthur Field. He was elected as an Independent Labour candidate in December 1937, Holt, as deputy mayor in 1939, was often at odds with Mayor McCormack.
References
AIF records of J V Holt
Hogan, Michael 2004, Local labor: a history of the Labor Party in Glebe, 1891-2003, Federation Press, Annandale, NSW
Sydney Morning Herald, 12 April 1927
Sydney Morning Herald, 6 December 1937, p. 8
Sydney Morning Herald, 22 December 1955
Holt, James Vincent, Railway Personal History Card, State Archives NSW,
NRS-12922-1-[11/16634]-[506], https://search.records.nsw.gov.au/permalink/f/1ebnd1l/ADLIB_RNSW114383026