Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the Reverend Alfred and Sarah Annie Holt. PD. He was the only surviving son of The Reverend Alfred Holt, B. A., Clerk in Holy Orders, and his wife Sarah Annie, who was the daughter of the late James (and Mary) Walters of Derby. William was educated at Wyggeston Boys’ School, Leicester, and Loughborough Grammar School, Leicestershire. He joined the Nottingham University O. T. C. in June 1916, and was gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant in the York and Lancaster Regiment on the 28th March 1917. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the 10th May 1917, was wounded near Ypres on the 15th July, and was killed in action south east of Ypres on the 23rd December 1917. His Commanding Officer wrote, “I need hardly say he is a loss to this Battalion, as he was so cheerful and willing to do anything for anybody.” And four brother officers, in a joint letter, stated, “Your son proved himself a most excellent soldier and comrade.” An extract from the “Loughbrurian” (his old School Magazine) also stated, “He was a mixture of strength and gentleness. Here he was liked and respected and trusted by all.” William was unmarried. On the 31st January 1920 the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester published a Roll of Honour of former pupils, this records that William attended the school between the years 1905 and 1911.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday January 4th, 1918

LOCAL CASUALTIES

Second-Lieutenant W. L. Holt, York and Lancs. Regiment, was killed in action in France on December 22nd. He was the last surviving son of the Rev. Alfred and Mrs Holt, The Oaks Vicarage, Loughborough, and was educated at the Wyggeston Boys’ School and Loughborough Grammar School. He belonged to the School Cadet Battalion, and on leaving joined the Notts University of O.T.C. He was transferred later to Oxford O.T.C. and was gazetted to the York and Lancs. Regiment on March 28th. He was slightly wounded in July, and returned to France from home leave on November 30th. He was 19 years of age.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby. 6/1/2018