Pte 15775 Charles Adam Holland

• Age: 27
• From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 11th May 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.D.3

Charles Adam Holland was born in Birkenhead and was baptised 17th March 1889 at Christ Church, Claughton cum Grange to parents John Adam Holland and Mary Ellen Lloyd (nee Gray) who were married on the 01st April 1888 at St Mary’s Church, Birkenhead. John was a 26 year old journalist of Catherine Street, father Adam a designer, whilst Mary was a 26 year old widow of Grange Road, father Samuel and engineer. Mary Ellen had previously been married on the 17th September 1880 to John Lloyd in St Silas, Liverpool but John died in 1884 in Birkenhead. 6 year old journalist of Catherine St, father Adam a designer, whilst Mary was a 26 year old widow of Grange Rd, father Samuel and engineer. Mary Ellen had previously been married on the 12th September 1880 to clerk John Lloyd in St Silas, Liverpool but John died aged 29 on the 13th December 1884 in Birkenhead. 

Probate was granted in Chester in 1885:- 

LLOYD John, 30 December Administration of the Personal Estate of John Lloyd late of 201 Grange lane, Birkenhead, in the county of Chester, book keeper who died 13 December 1884 at Birkenhead was granted at Chester to Mary Ellen Lloyd of 201 Grange lane widow the Relict. Personal Estate £100 resworn November 1885 £120. 

The 1891 Census finds, Charles, who was aged 2 living with his parents at 75 Victoria Avenue, Tranmere. His father, John Adam is a 29 year old, born in Manchester, and is a newspaper reporter, whilst his mother Mary Ellen is a 29 year old born in Newton-le-Willows. He has one sibling; a younger sister, Ethel Elizabeth aged 10 months and also born in Birkenhead. 

By the time of the 1901 Census they had a third child, Norman Samuel, born in 1894 but who in the Census for 1901 is shown as being a patient in the Infectious Disease Hospital, Mill Lane, Seacombe. Charles, Elizabeth and their parents are living at 3 Clifton Grove, Liscard. The family are living at 3 Clifton Grove, Liscard. His father, John, is aged 39, and a journalist, his mother, Mary, is 41 years of age, Charles is 12 and Elizabeth 10.  

His father, died aged 40, on the 26th August 1902. 

Probate was granted in Chester on 18th September 1902:- 

HOLLAND John Adam of 5 Roseberry Avenue, Liscard Cheshire journalist died 26 August 1902 Probate Chester 18 September to Mary Ellen Holland widow. Effects £184 6s. 

The 1911 Census shows his mother as a widow, living with two of her children, Norman and Ethel Elizabeth, at 5 Rosebery Avenue, Egremont but there is no trace of Charles. 

This absence, may be explained by a passenger record for him, returning from New York on 12th August 1912,  giving his occupation as a clerk. He gave his residence as Peru. 

Charles enlisted at St George's Hall, Liverpool on 01^st September 1914, joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15775. He gave his age as 24 years 228 days, his occupation as ‘correspondent’, presumably for a newspaper, and his next of kin as his mother Mary Ellen of 5 Rosebery Avenue, Egremont. He was described as being 5' 9 and 1/2", weight 133lbs, chest 37", with a fresh complexion, hazel eyes and brown hair. His stated his religion as Wesleyan. To the question “Have you resided away from your father’s house” he answered “Yes, Peru.” 

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

On 12^th October 1915 whilst in camp on Salisbury Plain, Charles Holland was given 2 days Confinement to Barracks for having his “bed down at 7.00 am”.

On 16^th March 1916 he was again in trouble when he was one of those men with Sidney Heyes (see Sidney's biography for full details) who were found without their gas helmets at a surprise inspection. All were awarded 1 day Field Punishment No.1 for “losing their gas helmets”. Heyes collapsed and died during this punishment but Charles Holland survived.

On 11^th April 1916, however, he was admitted 22 Field Ambulance where he spent ten days suffering from “P.U.O.” (P.U.O. is Pyrexia of unknown origin a fever of unknown origin a persistent fever evading diagnosis).

On 21^st April 1916 he rejoined his comrades in the 17^th Battalion and on 11^th May, 3 weeks later, was killed in action aged 27 years.

In May 1916 the battalion were in front line trenches near Maricourt on the Somme.  The 17^th Bn relieved the 19^th at 5:40 p.m on 11th May 1916.  At 7:45 p.m. the enemy started shelling the front line trenches.

From the Battalion War Diary:

“Enemy shelled front line trenches 17/1, 17/2, 17/3, and 17/4 for about ¾ hr fairly heavily with 4.5, 5.9, and minenwerfer shells came from North.  Support and Communication trenches were also shelled.  Our artillery replied with 4.5 and 18 pounders.  5 OR killed and 1 wounded.” 

The Other Ranks killed including Charles were: Lance Corporal Donald Evans, Privates George Henry Cole, Charles Joseph Kain, and Albert James Moore.

Charles now rests in Cerisy Gailly Cemetery, Grave II D 3. alongside Private Albert James Moore in II.D.2, Private George Cole II.D 4, and Lance Corporal Donald Evans in II.D.5.  Private Charles Joseph Kain is also buried in the same row in the cemetery at II.D.19.

Gailly was the site of the 39th and 13th Casualty Clearing Stations during the early part of 1917, and of the 41st Stationary Hospital from May 1917 to March 1918. The villages were then captured by the Germans, but were retaken by the Australian Corps in August 1918. Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery (originally called the New French Military Cemetery) was begun in February 1917 and used by medical units until March 1918. After the recapture of the village it was used by Australian units. The cemetery was increased after the Armistice when graves were brought in from the battlefields of the Somme. The cemetery now contains 745 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 114 of the burials are unidentified and special memorials commemorate five casualties buried at Maricourt and Ste. Helene whose graves could not be found. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Charles earned all three medals, which were received by his brother, Norman, in 1920, although Charles’s effects had been sent to their mother. In a sworn declaration in May 1919, Norman stated that neither of his parents was alive and their only other immediate relative was his sister, Ethel Elizabeth aged 27 years. Both Norman and Ethel lived at 5 Rosebery Avenue.

His death was reported in the Liverpool Echo dated 18th May 1916 

- Killed in Action – HOLLAND – May 11 killed in action in his 28^th year Private Charles A Holland, Kings (Liverpool) Regiment the dearly loved eldest son of the late John A Holland and Mrs Holland 5 Rosebery Avenue, Liscard (He did his duty)

The Wallasey News carried a detailed article under the header:

Killed By A Shell

It is with regret that we announce the death of Private Charles A. Holland, King’s Liverpool Regiment, of 5, Rosebery Avenue, Egremont, who was killed by a shell on May 11th. The young man, who was 26 years of age, was the son of the late Mr. John A. Holland, who was associated for many years with the editorial staff of the ‘Birkenhead News’ and afterwards with the ‘Wallasey News,’ succeeding the late Mr. G. Stansfield.

Mr. Charles Holland was trained in the Medical Officer of Health’s Office at Wallasey, and left the town the town about four or five years ago to take up a lucrative post in South America. He was a cheerful young fellow, and was very popular with all who knew him. He was a cartoonist, and several of his drawings of local events appeared in the “News” from time to time. It was rather singular that the news of his death should be conveyed in a letter from Lieutenant E. W. Willmer, a nephew of the late Mr. Charles Willmer, editor of the ‘Birkenhead News,’ who held in the highest esteem and friendship the father of the deceased. In his letter to Mrs. Holland, Lieutenant Willmer, after expressing his deepest sympathy “ in the loss of one of his best men,” he said :-

“Words fail me to express my sorrow. He was a favourite with all who met him and there was no one more popular among the men of the platoon; no one whose good qualities were so much appreciated as his. He was always willing to do anything to help anyone. He will be laid to rest in the little cemetery in the village.”

Another officer, writing to Mrs. Holland, said, :-

“Your son’s death will be keenly felt by myself and all the officers of this company. His skill as a draughtsman brought him into close contact with us. Daily we would go out making sketches of the trenches and we quickly learnt to appreciate his never falling cheerfulness and readiness to carry the work through. He was very popular in his platoon, where he will be greatly missed.”

The greatest sympathy will be felt for Mrs. Holland in her sad bereavement. 

His death was also reported in the Liverpool Daily Post on Thursday 01 June 1916: 

Killed.

King’s (Liverpools) - Holland, 15775, C. A. (Egremont);

On the anniversary of his death notices were place in the Liverpool Echo on the 11th May 1917 and 12th May 1917 

 Roll of Honour – HOLLAND In loving memory of my dearly loved son Charles A Holland 17^th Kings Liverpool Regiment (lst City Batt) who was killed in France May 11 1916 (A noble man and a brave son) Mother

Daily Post dated 11th May 1918

– In Memoriam – HOLLAND In memory of my dearly loved son Charles A Holland KLR killed in action May 11 1916.  Ever remembered by his Mother, Sister and Brothers (in France) Belwood, Rosebery Avenue, Liscard.

Accrington Observer 15th June 1918 

We regret to record the death of Mrs M. E. Holland, widow of late Mr Holland, journalist formerly of Warrington, whose death occurred suddenly at “Belwood” Rosebery Avenue on Sunday last. The deceased lady was highly respected in the Egremont district. She never recovered from the shock of the death of her son, Mr Chas. Edward Holland of the Liverpool “Pals,” who was killed in action, July 1st last. She was in her 58th year. The interment took place at Rake-lane Cemetery, Egremont on Wednesday, last rites being performed by Rev. J. R. Irving, minister of the circuit. The chief mourners were Miss Ethel M. Holland (daughter), Mr Chas M. Gray(brother), Mr Walter R. Holland (brother-in-law), Mrs A. L. Kelsall (sister-in-law), Mr W. B. Walker (brother-in-law). A son, Mr Norman R. Holland, is serving with the Royal Garrison Artillery in France, and was unable to be present. One coach conveyed wreaths as a token of respect from the residents and friends of the deceased. 

Soldiers Effects,  army pay £1 17s 9d, War Gratuity of £7-10s, and Pension to mother Mary Ellen.

Charles' personal items were returned to his family via his brother Norman Holland at 13 Maple Road, Leytonstone:- disc, wallet, 20 photos, pkt of correspondence, french dictionary, purse, medallion, cap badge, handkerchief.

Charles is also commemorated on the family headstone located in Wallasey and on the following Memorials:

Wallasey Civic Memorial and Roll of Honour 

Manor Road, Wesleyan Methodist Church. 

His mother died in the June quarter of 1918, aged 59. 

We currently have no further information on Charles Adam Holland, if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.