Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Holland, a coal miner, born 1867 in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire and his wife Selina Holland (nee Beeson), born 1868 in Ibstock, Leicestershire. Robert Edward, was born in the 4th quarter of 1890 in Ibstock, he had one sibling, a sister, Florence Emma, born 1889 in Ibstock, also residing in the family home was Robert’s paternal Great Aunt, Charlotte Holland, born 1822 in Ibstock, in April 1891 the family home was at Smalleys Lane, Ibstock. In March 1901 Robert was residing in the family home at Peggs Lane, Ibstock, together with his father, a coal miner, his mother and siblings, Florence, Arthur, born 1892, Selina, born 1894, Sidney, born 1899 and Rose Lily, born 1900, the latter four siblings were all born in Ibstock. In April 1911 Robert was employed as a coal miner and was residing in the family home at 39, Curzon Street, Ibstock, together with his father, a colliery rope splicer, his mother and siblings, Arthur, a colliery rope clipper, Selina, Sidney, a schoolboy, Rose, a schoolgirl, Gladys May, a schoolgirl, born 1902, Percy Orlando, a schoolboy, born 1905 and David, born 1906, the latter three siblings were all born in Ibstock.
The War Diary records: 4 No-18 – POMMEREUIL. Dispositions same as 3rd see attached report.
To be attached to War Diary for November.
2nd Battalion The Manchester Regiment.
Headquarters,
95th Infantry Brigade.
REPORT ON OPERATIONS FROM 30-10-18 TO 6-11-18.
The Brigade relieved the 16th Infantry Brigade in the line west of the OISE CANAL, North of ORS on the night 30th/31st October 1918. It was understood the Battalion would take part in an attack over and beyond the Canal at an early date. It was essential that the time prior to the ‘Z’ day should be used to full advantage; consequently the following points were kept prominently in view.
a] Reconnoitre approaches to Canal.
b] Crossings of Canal.
c] Detailed nature of country beyond Canal.
d] Location of Machine Gun posts beyond Canal.
e] Probable line of enemy S.O.S.
In order to bridge the Canal it was essential that all enemy West of the Canal be removed. Days prior to Zero were spent in strong deliberate patrolling and in initiating all ranks with every possible detail. Patrols on the nights 30th/31st and 31st Oct/1st Nov., reported enemy this side of the Canal, but only as alarm posts, not permanently held, and not intended as resistance points.
The night 1st/2nd Nov., was spent in an organised clearance of the West bank of the Canal. This was completely done by 17.00, November 2nd, when the last enemy post was raided at dusk and exterminated. The only persons remaining alive were four who were taken prisoners, three Machine Guns along with them.
November 3rd passed without incident, the enemy were carefully observed and their posts approximately noted East of the Canal.
Strong active patrolling took place on the night November 3rd/4th prior to Zero at 05.45, November 4th.
The Battalion attack was to take place with two Companies in the line, one in Support and one in Reserve. The Canal was to be bridged by Royal Engineers after the initial 5 minute’s barrage which was to fall on the East bank of the Canal. During the ensuing half hour stationary barrage the bridging would be done, the Canal crossed. Companies re-formed along the Battalion area and preparations completed for advancing with the barrage to the YELLOW, BLUE and RED final line.
Orders were issued for cases of emergency, definite Officers and personnel were to be superintended.
1] The initial forming up.
2] The crossing by the bridge.
3] The re-forming on the East bank.
4] The liaison with flanking units.
5] The minute co-operation with the Barrage Table.
6] The communications.
7] The stragglers posts.
The following happened.
1] The initial forming up without incident.
2] Preliminary 5 minutes barrage with all personnel ready to dash forward.
3] The attempts to bridge the Canal under most terrific Machine Gun fire, heavy Trench Mortar fire, and a spasmodic artillery fire. The R.E.’s in throwing over the bridge worked in a magnificently gallant manner but were decimated with perishing fire. The bridge was actually thrown across and two platoons immediately rushed over, establishing themselves on the Eastern bank to cover other troops. It was at this time that an enemy shell knocked the bridge away and no further crossing of troops was possible. Repeated endeavours were made to get across but the fire from the opposite bank was intensely destructive.
4] All personnel were methodically withdrawn under cover on the Western bank. Double runners were despatched to both flanking bridges to ascertain if a passage was possible elsewhere. The entire situation was promptly reported to Advanced Brigade Headquarters.
It was learned that the Northern flank bridge was not across but that the Right Brigade had affected a crossing at ORS Church.
5] The original Support and Reserve Companies proceeded immediately to this bridge with orders as under.
a] To cross rapidly and turn sharply left pushing Northwards.
b] To brook no opposition and to turn Eastwards on reaching original objective line.
c] To push forward as rapidly as possible to the YELLOW LINE and to keep abreast of, and liaison with the Right Brigade.
d] To detail a special party for North flank protection where the enemy were strongly resisting at DE LA MOTTE FARM. This party was to affect a junction with the Lancashire Fusiliers where they should have crossed the Canal but was unable to give more than flank protection owing to withering fire.
6] These Companies reached the YELLOW LINE before noon, but the Left Company swung back its Northern flank as there were many hostile posts in that direction.
The two remaining Companies were brought into frontal and flank support and reserve with definite instructions to reinforce wherever necessary and to again endeavour to assist the Lancashire Fusiliers at their crossing point.
7] As the Lancashire Fusiliers were unable to cross, they came round by ORS bridge with definite orders to attack DE LA MOTTE FARM and protect our flank.
8] Under orders from Brigade the advance on the BLUE LINE was begun and the objective reached at 19.00. Orders were then issued to push up to the RED LINE which would have been done but for the following reasons.
a] No further advance was made by the 14th Infantry Brigade.
b] The night was intensely dark and the country thick.
c] The Left flank was woefully exposed. The men rested during the night for a few hours on a line approximately 500 yards East of the BLUE LINE.
9] The move to the RED LINE was continued at dawn and posts were there established and consolidated by 06.45. Touch was maintained with the 14th Infantry Brigade. The 97th Infantry Brigade passed through at a later hour.
The following points were noticed.
a] The enemy barrage fell West of our forming up point.
b] Spasmodic fire was kept up on the Canal.
c] The enemy intended to hold this line to the bitter end.
d] Once routed out of his defences he resolved his policy into one of fighting rearguard.
Casualties were.
3 Officers killed.
5 Officers wounded.
22 Other Ranks killed.
81 Other Ranks wounded.
18 Other Ranks missing.
Captures were.
About 80 prisoners.
At least 30 Machine Guns.
One Battery 77mm Field Guns.
One 5.9 Gun.
The captures are entirely approximated.
November 6th : The Battalion is comfortably billeted in the SAMBERTON area.
Signed. Lieut. Colonel, 6/11/18. Commanding 2nd Battalion The Manchester Regiment.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday January 17th, 1919

IBSTOCK SOLDIER KILLED

News has been received by Mr and Mrs Holland, of Orchard Street, Ibstock, of the death of their son, Private R. Holland, of the 2nd Manchester Regiment. A comrade of the deceased writes, “We had almost taken our objective when he was hit close by me with an explosive bullet in the head. He died instantly and suffered no pain. He was very much liked by the officers and men of the company. Whatever he was asked to do, he did it, no matter how dangerous. I buried him next day in a pretty little cemetery on the banks of a canal. Over 20 of his pals were present. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to you in the loss of such a good son and soldier. He paid the price as thousands have done, and if ever I get back home again I will come and explain fully to you all. I miss him as a brother.” Private Holland was killed a few days before the Armistice was signed.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 31st, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Private Robert Holland, 2nd Manchesters, killed in action 4th November, 1918, in France.

“I shall remember him so long as the light lasts,
And in the darkness I shall not forget.”

From Joe.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 21st, 1919

IN MEMORIAM

Holland – In loving memory of Robert Holland, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action, November 4th, 1918.

“A loving son, a brother kind –
A beautiful memory left behind
His work is done, he’ll fight no more,
He is laid to rest on a foreign shore.

In a land of strangers our loved one lies,
Not one of us near him to wish him good-bye,
But the angels of Heaven are guarding his soul,
Till we meet him again at the call of the roll.”

From his Father and Mother, Brothers and Sister.
Ibstock.

Coalville Times article - Friday November 5th, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

HOLLAND – In ever loving memory of Private Robert Holland, Manchester Regiment, who nobly fell in action in France, November 4th, 1918. Aged 28.

“His days were short, in youthful bloom
By death he was cut down,
But Jesus, rising from his tomb,
Procures a heavenly crown.
Though gone and forgotten by some he may be,
Dear in our memory he will ever be.
He rests in shrouds of glory,
Ever debt of honour paid.”

Coalville Times article - Friday 12th November, 1920

IN MEMORIAM

HOLLAND – In loving memory of Pte. Robert Holland, South Staffs Regiment, killed in action, November 4th, 1918.

“A broken link,
In friendship’s chain.”

From Joe.

From his sorrowing Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters.
89, Curzon Street, Ibstock.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 20/07/2018