Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Walter Holt, a bricklayer, born on the 7th January 1855 in Thringstone, Leicestershire (son of William Holt, 1821-1908 and Catherine Burrows, 1826) and his wife Sarah Holt (nee Mackellar (McKellar), married on the 24th February 1880 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, Leicestershire), born 1859 in Carndow, Argyllshire, Scotland (daughter of Duncan Mackellar, 1827-1906 and Jane Ferguson, 1826-1901). Archibald, a schoolboy was born on the 15th February 1895 and baptised on the 16th April 1895 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, his siblings were, Walter, a game keeper’s labourer, born on the 26th January 1885 and baptised on the 8th March 1885 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, William, a domestic page boy, born on the 10th November 1887 in Coleorton and baptised on the 15th January 1888 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, Jessie Euphemia, a schoolgirl, born on the 21st September 1890 and baptised on the 19th October 1890 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, John Duncan, a schoolboy, born on the 13th June 1893 and baptised on the 16th July 1893 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, Sarah Alespey, a schoolgirl, born on the 22nd August 1896 and baptised on the 20th September 1896 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton and Kenneth, born on the 11th July 1900 and baptised on the 5th August 1900 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, the latter six siblings were all born in Coleorton, in March 1901 the family were residing at Church Town, Coleorton, this being the family home of his widowed paternal grandfather William Holt, an unemployed bricklayer, born 1821 in Thornton, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Archibald was employed as an above ground colliery labourer and was residing in the family home at Church Town, Coleorton, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Jane, born on the 29th August 1883 in Coleorton and baptised on the 21st October 1883 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton, William, a carpenter, Sarah and Kenneth, a schoolboy. Archibald also had the following siblings, Annie, born on the 30th November 1881 in Coleorton and baptised on the 8th January 1882 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton and Catherine, born on the 8th April 1886 in Coleorton and baptised on the 9th May 1886 in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Coleorton. Archibald’s older brother William died in November 1921 from service aggravated illness.
MILITARY NOTES: The Brigade of Guards service records all exist, but were deposited in 2018 with the Ministry of Defence in Glasgow, the exception being the Scots Guards, whose service records are now in the possession of the Trustees of the Scots Guards Charitable Trust, and are free to access. The remainder of the Foot Guards records are available at the current cost of £30.00 per inquiry (2019). Therefore, as the service records for his military service after transfer do not survive, the currently available information pertaining to Archibald’s service after he had transferred from the Brigade of Guards’ has been obtained from the following sources: - 1921 HMSO Publication, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914 - 1919, WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Registers.
Enlisted in Loughborough into the Regular Army, 5/8/14.
Attested. Age 19 years 174 days. 8/8/14.
Joined. At Guards’ Depot, Caterham, Surrey. 8/8/14.
Posted. To Coldstream Guards. Pte. 8/8/14.
Allotted the Regimental Service number 11055.
Posted. To 1st Bn. Coldstream Guards. Pte., date not known.
First entered the theatre of war in France. 26/11/14 to 30/12/14.
Home Service. 31/12/14 – 16/3/15.
Re-entered the theatre of war in France. 17/3/15.
Transferred. To 25th Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Attached 112th Mining Reserve Company. 29/9/15.
Allotted. The Regimental service number 9354.
Transferred. To 1/22nd County of London Bn. (The Queen’s). Place and date not known.
Allotted. The Regimental service number 11165.
Transferred. To 2/4th City of London Bn. (Royal Fusiliers) Place and date not known.
Allotted. The Regimental service number GS/68402.
Wounded in action. In the Field. Place and date not known.
Transferred. To England. Date not known.
Died of wounds in the 5th Northern General Hospital, Leicester. 22/9/18.
Awarded the 1914 – 15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
In the event of his death, Archibald nominated his father, Walter as his sole legatee.
On the 22nd July 1919, Archibald’s mother Sarah, of Church Town, Coleorton, Leicestershire was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s pension of six shillings.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday May 10th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Private A. Holt (Coleorton) of the London Regiment, and Acting-Sergeant T. H. Mason (Coalville) of the R.E. are reported wounded.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 4th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Private Archibald Holt, fourth son of Mr and Mrs W. Holt, Coleorton, died of wounds in the Base, Leicester, on September 22nd. He enlisted in the Coldstream Guards on August 5th, 1914, being transferred to the London Regiment in 1917. He had seen a lot of active service in France, being wounded four times. The internment took place with military honours at Coleorton Cemetery on September 26th.

THANKS

Mr and Mrs Holt and Family tender grateful thanks for the many expressions of sympathy received by them in their recent sad bereavement, and also for floral tributes.

Church Town, Coleorton.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 26th, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

In loving remembrance of our dear son and brother, Archibald Holt, of Coleorton, aged 23, Royal Fusiliers, who died of wounds received in action at Leicester Base Hospital, September 22nd, 1918.

“Gone to his rest through the pathway of duty,
Giving his life that others might live.
Such are the words on the tablet of beauty,
In letters immortal, in honour to live.”

From his sorrowing Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters.

In loving memory of my Uncle Archie from his little nephew.

Baby Archie Holt

Baptist Road, Measham.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 15/2/2018.