Willie Holland
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Willie was the son of Jeremiah Holland and Elizabeth Holland nee Mullins. Jeremiah Holland was born in Nottingham in 1857. Elizabeth was born in Dorset in 1854 and christened in the parish of Iwerne-Courtney, Dorset, on 25 December 1854. They were married in Nottingham in 1878 (marriage registered J/A/S). According to the information they gave on the 1911 Census when they had been married for 33 years, they had had seven children of whom only four were still living. Five children were named on the census between 1881 and 1911: Minnie Mullins, later Holland/Mullins Holland (b. 1877, registered A/M/J), who was described on the 1881 census as Jeremiah's step-daughter, George Thomas (b. 1879, d. 1885, buried 21 January 1885), Mary Ann (birth registered 1881 J/F/M), George Thomas (b. 1887, registered O/N/D) and Willie (b. 1893, registerd J/A/S). All the children were born in Nottingham. In 1881 Jeremiah (24), a bricklayer, and Elizabeth (27) were living at 68 Leicester Street, St Ann's, Nottingham, in the household of his father, Joseph (56), a stonemason. Three children were in the household, Minnie Mullins (4), described as a step-daughter, George (2) and Mary A. (2 months). By 1891 Jeremiah (36) and Elizabeth (37) were living at 3 Regent Place, Bloomsgrove Street, Radford, with their three children; Minnie (14) a lace winder, Mary Ann (10) and George Thomas (3). Minnie was married in 1898 to William Phillips, her name on the Marriage Index is given as 'Minnie Mullins Holland'. By 1901 Jeremiah and Elizabeth had moved to 1 Regent Place, Bloomsgrove Street, and this was probably the family home for the rest of their married life. Mary Ann (20) was a cotton winder, George (13) an apprentice carriage maker and Willie (7) was at school. Mary Ann married John Allen Smith in 1901 (marriage registered A/M/J Nottingham). By 1911 only George, a dropper maker, and Willie, a packer for a lace manufacturer, were still living at home. George married Florence Draper in 1918 (marriage registered J/A/S Nottingham); they lived at 10 Cardwell Street, Hyson Green, Nottingham, and had one child. He joined the Army Service Corps (T/13908) and served in Salonika and France; he died in France of pneumonia on 25 February 1919. Elizabeth Holland died in 1918 aged 64 (death registered December Nottingham), a few months before the death of her eldest son. Willie's father completed a form for the army in May 1919 listing Willie's surviving blood relatives - himself and Willie's two sisters. Jeremiah was still living at 1 Regent Place, Minnie Phillips was living in Beeston, Nottingham, and Mary Ann Smith was living off Ilkeston Road, Nottingham. Jeremiah died at the age of 68 in 1924 (death registered March Nottingham)
Willie attested on 18 August 1914 at the age of 21 years 77 days. He served at home until 2 May 1915 and in France from 3 May 1915. He was killed in action less than three months later on 9 August 1915; he had served in the army for 357 days. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Evening Post 'In Memoriam', 9 August 1916: 'Holland. In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private W Holland, killed in action August 9th, 1915. One sad year has passed away since our great sorrow fell, but in our hearts we mourn the loss of him we loved so well. Mother, Father, Mary Ann, and George.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post 'In Memoriam', 9 August 1916: ‘Holland. In loving memory of Private W Holland, killed August 9th, 1915. A beautiful flower grown up to love, but God has taken him to the land above. Sister Minnie, Bill, and family.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post 'In Memoriam', 9 August 1917: 'Holland. In loving memory of Private Willie Holland, Sherwood Forestrs, killed in action, August 9th, 1915, Never forgotten. Mother, father, sisters, brother George (in Salonika).' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post 'In Memoriam', 9 August 1917. 'Holland, In loving memory of my dear brother, Private Willie Holland, who fell on August 9th, 1915. Dearly loved in life, fondly remembered in death. Sister Mininie, Bill, and family.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post 'In Memoriam', 9 August 1918: 'Holland. In loving memory of Private Willie Holland, Sherwoods, killed in action August 9th 1915. Always remembered by mother, father, sisters, brother George with the colours.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) His mother, Elizabeth, was his sole legatee.
