William Humphrey Hollins

Second Lieutenant William Humphrey Hollins, served with the 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment). The 1/8th battalion was in the area of Kemmel in 1915 and early in June 'took over more of the J and K trenches, with the reserve company at Siege Farm and Battalion Headquarters at Rossignol Farm.' ('History of the 1/8th Bn Sherwood Foresters 1914-1919', Capt. WCC Weetman) On15 June 1915 the enemy, whose trenches were within 60-70 yards of the battalion's front line, exploded three mines, one of which blew up a portion of J3 Right trench, killing at least two men. Some enemy soldiers got into the mine crater but were repelled by 'C' Company. The battalion's casualties that day included two officers, a corporal and eight men killed. William was killed on 15th June 1915 leading an attack to take a trench. He was buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery (grave D.70)

CWGC headstone personal inscirption: 'Where I am there shall also my servant be' 1/8th Bn casualties, 15 June 1915: Lieutenant AFO Dobson (grave ref. D.64), Lieutenant WH Hollins (D.70), Corporal F Wilcox (D.71), Privates AE Armitage (D.65), B Cox (D.67), FW Hill (D.66), P May (D.72), RW Moakes (D.69) and W Richardson (D.68) buried Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery and Privates OL Bryan and A Cook commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Mansfield Reporter, 25 June 1915: ‘The 8th Sherwoods Badly Damaged. This interesting letter has been received by Mrs Wilson, wife of Ald. JL Wilson, from her son who is at the front. In the letter, which refers to the death of Lance Corporal Charlie Wilson, he adds that he attended Charlie’s burial ‘in a special ground we have in a village, just behind our lines’ [Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery] Just as we were waiting for the chaplain (about 9.15pm) there came from the trenches a terrific report, followed by two others almost instantly. At the same time the sky was lighted up by [a] tremendous flash, followed by a continuous roar of rifle fire and artillery. Of course, we knew immediately that it was a mine blown up, and that it must have been a German one, too. I cannot describe to you what it was like, but for at least an hour the roar was simply deafening.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk Article published on 25th June 1915 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “THE EIGHTH SHERWOODS. “LIEUT. HOLLINS KILLED WHILE BOMB-THROWING. “BATTALION DID SPLENDIDLY.” “The ranks of the 8th Sherwood Foresters have been sadly thinned of late, and some idea of the ordeal through which they have undergone at the front may be gathered from a letter written by Lieut.-Colonel Fowler, the commanding officer [KIA 15 October 1915]: “We have had some sad and severe losses. You will have heard of the death in action of Lieut. Dobson and Second-Lieutenant Hollins. They are both the very greatest loss to us, excellent as officers, and as dear friends they will be missed by every officer, non-commissioned officer, and man in the battalion. The attack made on us three nights ago (the 15th inst.) was a serious affair. Considering that three mines were blown up in three different trenches, and the immediate bombardment by trench mortars which the men in the trenches had to undergo, the battalion did splendidly, and worthily upheld the name it has made for itself. It has been thanked by both divisional and brigade commanders. “Major A. C. Clarke also writes of the death Lieut. Hollins, saying, “We all feel his loss intensely, as he was such an excellent officer in every way, and we cannot replace him. He was quite exceptionally good, and we shall miss him very much. We have had rather a rough time, but the men are good, and will face anything.” “Corporal John Wilson (son of Ald. Wilson) writes that when Lieut. Hollins was killed he was leading the bomb throwers to take a trench. “He was one of the bravest and most proficient officers we had. He took a special interest in bomb throwing, and I think it would have been just the very death he would have chosen.” Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Tow Great War Hucknall 1914-1918