Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Henry Hollingworth a railway train examiner, born 1872 in Billesdon, Leics., and his wife Emma Hollingworth (nee Dobbs), born 1871 in Wigston, Leics. William Henry was born in 1894 in Wigston, Leics., his siblings were, Ernest, born 1896, Albert, born 1898 and Hilda M., born 1900, all his siblings were born in Syston, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Lower Church Street, Syston. In April 1911 William was employed as a railway servant and was residing in the family home at Cromwell Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Ernest, a grocer’s errand boy, Albert, a schoolboy, Hilda, a schoolgirl, Walter a schoolboy, born 1902, Dorothy, a schoolgirl, born 1904 and Lilian, a schoolgirl, born 1906, the latter three siblings were all born in Syston, Leics., Evelyn, born 1911 in Melton Mowbray, Leics. On Friday June 22nd 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – MORE LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. Pte. William Henry Hollingworth, of the Leicester’s, son of Mr and Mrs W. H. Hollingworth, of Alfreton, and formerly of Melton Mowbray, was killed in action on the night of June 8th. Deceased who was 23 years of age, was employed as a porter on the Midland Railway at Melton, and was with the Melton Territorial’s at Bridlington when they were called back for mobilisation on the outbreak of war. He and his brother, Corpl. Ernest Hollingworth, were in the same company and had been at the front two and half years. Another brother, Mr Bert Hollingworth, still resides in Melton, and is employed at the Holwell Iron Works. The news first conveyed to the parents by Pte. Harry Powers, who stated in a letter that deceased was killed in the course of an attack. He stated that deceased was a good fellow, and very much respected by everyone in the company. On Friday June 29th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR” – LOCAL SOLDIERS KILLED. PTE. W. H. HOLLINGWORTH, whose photo is given above, was as reported in our last issue, killed in action on the night of June 8th. He was a son of Mr and Mrs W. H. Hollingworth, Alfreton, and formerly of Melton Mowbray, and was employed as a porter on the Midland Railway at Melton. Deceased was 23 years of age. The War Diary for today records. TRENCHES. Assembled for attack at 5.00pm. At 8.30pm attacked FOSSE 3 with C Coy on the right, B Coy on the left, D Coy in support and A Co carrying. The left Coy was held up and lost all its officers, Captain WYNNE killed, 2nd Lt FARRAR killed, 2nd Lt NELSON wounded. The right Coy went right through killing about 80 of the enemy, taking about 8 prisoners and destroying 3 machine guns and 2 trench mortars. Our casualties 5 officers and 91 other ranks.