Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Edward Hoyte, a stone quarry worker, born 1848 in Markfield, Leicestershire and his wife Amy Hoyte (nee Cartwright, married in the 4th quarter of 1876 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born in the 2nd quarter of 1849 in Littlethorpe, Leicestershire. Oliver was born in the 4th quarter of 1877 in Littlethorpe, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Richard Cartwright, a schoolboy, born in the 3rd quarter of 1873 and Maud Hoyte, born in the 3rd quarter of 1879, both siblings were born in Littlethorpe, in April 1881 the family home was at Narborough Lane Yard, Littlethorpe. In the 1st quarter of 1888 in the Leicester district, Oliver’s mother married Thomas Burgess. In October 1888, Oliver’s father died age 39 in the County Asylum and was buried in Markfield on the 8th October. In 1891 Oliver was employed as a hosiery trade winder and was residing in the family home in Littlethorpe, together with his stepfather Thomas Burgess, an elastic braid worker, born 1846 in Hinckley, Leicestershire, his mother and siblings, Richard, an elastic braid worker, Maud, a schoolgirl, Emma, a schoolgirl, born 1882, Ada, a schoolgirl, born 1883, Herbert, a schoolboy, born 1883, the latter three siblings were all born in Littlethorpe, his half blood siblings, Grace Hilda Burgess, born 17th November 1890 and Julia Burgess, born on the 30th November 1889, the latter two siblings were both born in Littlethorpe, and his step siblings, Annie Burgess, an elastic braid worker, born 1867 in St. Margaret’s, Leicester, Arthur Burgess, an elastic braid worker, born 1874, Harry Burgess, a weaver, born 1877, Emily Burgess, a schoolgirl, born 1878 and Sidney Alexander Burgess, a schoolboy, born in the 1st quarter of 1883, the latter four step siblings were all born in Littlethorpe. In March 1901 Oliver was employed as an elastic braid worker and was residing in the family home in Littlethorpe, together with his step father, an elastic braid factory manager, his mother and siblings, Ada, an elastic braid worker and Herbert, a butcher’s apprentice, his half blood siblings, Grace Burgess and Julia Burgess and his step sibling, Annie Burgess, a silk winder. On the 2nd April 1909 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district, Oliver’s step father died aged 63. In April 1911 Oliver was employed as an elastic braid worker and was residing in the family home in Littlethorpe, together with his widowed mother and sister Ada, an elastic braid worker, his half blood sibling Julia Burgess, an elastic weaver and his married half blood sister Grace Kenney and her husband James Kenney, a shoe trade worker, born 1887 in Cosby, Leicestershire.
A copy of the Will of Oliver Holt records: in the event of my death I will 5£ pounds to Maggie Cartwright of Victoria Street, Narborough and my watch and chain and clothes to my Uncle Abraham Cartwright of Victoria Street, Narborough and the rest of my money with the pictures and furniture to my Sister Julia Burgess, Littlethorpe, Narborough.
Signature; Oliver Holt
Rank and Regiment Private No, 42413.
Date. September 1916 Durham L.I.
On the fifth day of February 1918 Administration (with his Will) of the estate of the testator was granted at Leicester to Julia Burgess, Spinster, the natural and lawful Sister by the Half Blood and next of kin, the Residuary Legatee.
Affidavits of handwriting and that the Testator made his Will while a soldier in actual Military Service filed.
Oliver was registered at birth with his father’s surname spelling of Hoyte, but in the 1891 Census return, after his father had died and his mother had remarried the spelling was changed to Holt, and appears to have then been in continuous use by both Oliver and his siblings. However, Oliver’s father was registered at his birth in 1849 with the surname spelling of Holt.
Oliver attested into the Army on a General Service engagement (For the Duration of the War, with the Colours and in the Army Reserve.) on the 24th November 1915 in Leicester. He gave his religion as Church of England. His medical examination took place on the 24th November 1915 in Leicester where it recorded his birthplace as Littlethorpe, Leicester, his declared age as 38 years and 30 days and his trade or occupation as elastic braid hand and that that he was 5 foot 8½ inches in height, weighed 144 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 35½ and 38½ inches. His physical development was described as good. After attestation on the 24/11/15 in Leicester he was transferred to the Army Reserve on the 25/11/15. Mobilized on the 30/3/16. Posted as Private, service number 4747 on the 30/3/16. Posted to the 3/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 7/4/16. Posted to the 1/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry on the 1/8/16. Embarked from Folkestone to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 2/8/16. Disembarked Boulogne on the 2/8/16. Posted to 35 Base Depot, Etaples on the 3/8/16. Posted to the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and allotted the service number 42413 on the 1/9/16. Joined the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, in the field on the 2/9/16. Reported missing in action, France on the 16/9/16. Regarded for official purposes as having died on the 16/9/16. A summary of his service records: Home Service 30/3/16 – 2/8/16, 126 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 3/8/16 – 16/9/16, 45 days. Total service 171 days. He was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
Inside Oliver’s service record there is a letter, the contents are as follows:- Dear Sir, I am writing to inquire if you could give me any information about the will of my nephew No. 42413 Pte Oliver Holt 15 Durham Light Infantry missing since 16/9/16 now concluded as dead. His sister, Mrs Hall, 7, Ruby St. Newfoundpool, Leicester has received this official news. But he lived with me and wrote to me on 31/8/16 telling me he had made a will in my favour, also my daughter and his half sister Julia Burgess of Littlethorpe. Could you send me a copy of the will, if I have to pay a little for it. So as I can get things straightened up to present and dispose amongst his other relatives. I am -?- truly Mrs A. Cartwright, Victoria Street, Narborough, Nr. Leicester.
An internal memorandum dated the 7th March 1918 from The War Office, Park Buildings, St. James’s Park, London S.W.1. to the Officer in charge of Infantry Records No.2, York records: Will you please note that any articles of personal property now in your possession or subsequently received by you belonging to the late No. 42414, Pte Oliver Holt, 15th Durham Light Infantry should be despatched to:- Miss Julia Burgess, Littlethorpe, Narborough, Nr Leicester. A further communication will be sent to you regarding the disposal of any medals. Signed C. Harris Assistant Financial Secretary.
An internal memorandum dated the 21st August 1919 from the War Office, 27, Pilgrim Street, Ludgate Hill, London E.C.4, to the Officer in charge of No.1 Infantry Records Office, York records: With reference to the disposal of any medals which have been, or may eventually be awarded in respect of the services of the soldier described in the margin, now deceased, (No.42413, Private Oliver Holt, 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry) I am directed to inform you that any such medals should be despatched by Registered Post to:- The sister, Mrs Maud Hall, 31, Abbey Gate, Leicester.
The following information was provided by Oliver’s half sister, Julia Burgess on the 18th September 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Jacob Cur-?-, Congregational Minister, Wigston, Nr. Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, None. Mother of soldier, None. Full blood brother of soldier, Herbert Holt, age 33 of H. Holt P.O.I., Syra Dockyard, Syra, Greece, c/o G.P.O. London (Home address 12, Bassett Street, South Wigston, Nr. Leicester). Full blood sisters of soldier, Mrs. H. Hall, age 39 of 7, Ruby Street, Newfound Pool, Leicester. Mrs. J. Martin, age 37 of Abbey Lane, Leicester. Mrs. W. McCartney, age 35 of 65, Guthlaxton Street, Leicester. Half blood sisters of soldier, Mrs. J. Kenney, age 30 of 12, Bassett Street, South Wigston, Nr. Leicester. Julia Burgess, age 29 of 12, Bassett Street, South Wigston, Nr. Leicester.
Oliver’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 16 Sep-16 – FLERS. Left POMMIERS REDOUBT at 2.00 am and marched to FLERS. The Battalion and 9th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY were to have been in position before dawn but owing to stream of traffic en route the column did not reach position of deployment until 5.30 am.
The Battalion were got into position in extended order East of the Southern portion of FLERS village on the right of the 9th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY and dug themselves in making use of shell holes or existing trenches and lay there till the hour appointed to commence the attack on objective viz:- GIRD TRENCH, running in a Northerly direction from the Western edge of GUEDECOURT.
Formation: Was in four lines – “A” and “B” Companies each extended two platoons in firing line, “A” on the right, “B” on the left next the 9th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY. They had each two platoons in support at 100 yard distance, “C” and “D” Companies formed local reserve 300 yards behind “A” and “B” Companies in the same order.
1st Stage: At 8.45 am “C” and “D” Companies with Battalion Headquarters Detachment commenced the advance in order to bring them closer to the two leading Companies. “A” and “B” commenced their advance as “C” and “D” closed upon them. A heavy barrage was put up by the enemy causing only moderate casualties as part of their shell fire fell behind our advancing lines.
2nd Stage: At about 9.00 am all four Companies had reached a roadway at right angles to line of advance, which ran through a deep cutting. Here Companies were re-formed and passed on towards the enemy’s position in the order in which they started. All ranks pressed bravely on through shell, rifle and Machine Gun fire. Casualties became heavier as they progressed and gradually, though a few still moved forward, the attack fizzled out and by 10.00 am, all in the attacking lines were sheltering in shell holes from which no movement was possible owing to Machine Guns and accurate sniping. Some had reached to within 150 yards of enemy’s trenches, a considerable distance beyond the 9th KING’S OWN YORKSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY.
3rd Stage: From 10.00 am to dusk our skirmishers lay in shell holes unable to move without drawing fire. At 2.30 pm and again between 5.30 and 6.30 pm our own artillery opened heavy shell fire at the enemy’s trenches and on our side of them, which hit our lines and caused a few of the leading men to withdraw further back.
At dusk the Battalion received orders to withdraw from all forward positions into FLEA TRENCH which lay some 200 yards beyond the deep cutting before mentioned.
The War Diary records: 16-17 Sep-16 – FLERS, During this action the Battalion suffered the following heavy casualties:-
Killed:
2nd Lieutenant G. WESSELHOEFTE.
2nd Lieutenant C. K. O. GRAHAM.
2nd Lieutenant E. B. GEORGE.
2nd Lieutenant G. A. GARLAND.
Captain E. R. WELCH (R.A.M.C. Attached).
36 Other Ranks.
Died of Wounds:
2nd Lieutenant A. R. JACOB.
Wounded:
Captain J. L. K. COCKBURN.
Captain G. C. BELL.
Captain F. J. WIDDOWSON.
Lieutenant and Adjutant C. L. BLEADEN.
Lieutenant W. G. WARREN.
Lieutenant W. EDMONSON (At Duty).
2nd Lieutenant J. KEY.
2nd Lieutenant M. B. JOPLIN (At Duty).
2nd Lieutenant J. F. LEYS (At Duty).
2nd Lieutenant M. R. PEASE.
209 Other ranks.
Missing:
2nd Lieutenant A. S. MORLEY.
2nd Lieutenant M. N. GRANT.
2nd Lieutenant N. ROYLEY.
174 Other ranks.