12 April 1917: L/Cpl. William Lennox Farquharson Holland

William Lennox Farquharson Holland was killed in action on this day in 1917.

William Holland was born on 3 September 1885 in the Bombay Presidency. His parents were Henry and Hannah (née Jopp) of 27 Eaton Rise, Ealing. He was the grandson of General H W Holland.

William was educated at Tonbridge School.

Employed on the staff of the London County & Westminster Bank and subsequently on the staff of the National Bank of South Africa.

In September 1911 he left banking and joined the Transvaal Scottish Regiment in Johannesburg.

William served in German South West Africa as Sergeant after the outbreak of war.

He transferred to the 9th South African Infantry and was sent to East Africa and was appointed Instructor in charge of the depot at Potchefstroom.

He returned home to England and joined the South African Scottish Regiment at Bordon Camp in October 1916.

In 1917 the South African Scottish Regiment took part in the Battle of Arras during which L/Cpl Holland was killed. He was 32. He was buried in Athies Communal Cemetery Extension.

L/CPpl. William Lennox Farquharson Holland South African Scottish, 4th South African Infantry

12 April 1917 

Source: De Ruvigny’s Vol. iii