Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Holland, a framework knitter, born 1852 in Sileby, Leicestershire and his wife Hannah Holland (nee Porter, married on the 25th May 1874 in the Parish Church, Sileby), born 1856 in Sileby. Ernest, a schoolboy, was born on the 8th June 1884 and was baptised on the 31st August 1884 in the Parish Church, Sileby, his siblings were, Eliza, a cotton winder, born 23rd June 1876 and baptised on the 30th December 1878 in the Parish Church, Sileby, Edith, a cotton winder, born 8th January 1880 and baptised on the 28th March 1880 in the Parish Church, Sileby, Susannah, a schoolgirl, born 25th May 1886 and baptised on the 27th June 1886 in the Parish Church, Sileby, Ellen Alice Maud Evelyn, born 1889 and baptised on the 30th March 1890 in the Parish Church, Sileby and Mary Lizzie, born 24th February 1891 and baptised on the 26th April 1891 in the Parish Church, Sileby, all his siblings were born in Sileby, in April 1891 the family home was at Cossington End, Sileby. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a brickyard labourer and was residing in the family home at Cossington End, Sileby, together with his father, a framework knitter, his mother and siblings, Edith a Griswold knitter, Susannah, a shoe trade machinist, Ellen and Mary. In April 1911 Ernest was employed as a brick maker and was residing in the family home at Swan Street, Sileby, together with his father, a framework knitter, his mother and siblings, Edith, a hosiery trade machinist, Susannah, a hosiery trade machinist, Ellen, a hosiery trade machinist and Mary, a hosiery trade machinist. Ernest first entered the theatre of war in France on the 9th September 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 - FRICOURT. Battalion moved off at 12.15am and moved up to the southern edge of MAMETZ WOOD. Fairly heavy shelling. They reached the reserve position MAMETZ WOOD 500 yards west of the front edge at 3.20am just as intense bombardment of German trenches began, and either went into existing trenches or dug in. At 5.20am “B” Company (Captain ANDERSON) and 1 platoon of “A” Company moved over to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD to reinforce the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT They finally reached the north of the wood of village and as far as possible dug themselves in. They were mixed up with the 6th, 7th and 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Heavy casualties including all Company officers. At 6.00am remainder of “A” Company moved to German 1st line trench and started to consolidate it. 2 platoons of “C” Company taken to Brigade Headquarters for carrying. At 8.15am Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with “D” Company and ½ of “C” Company moved to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG had orders to take over defence on the north western and western edge of the wood which was being heavily shelled. At 8.45am “D” Company (Lieutenant NOLAN) directed on the north western corner of the wood to clear wood and dig in on the edge. 2 platoons of “C” Company in support trench with Battalion Headquarters. Between 9.00am and 12.00 noon “D” Company met with heavy opposition and reached forward support line but failed to clear wood. Lieutenant NOLAN was killed. Lieutenant de LISLE and Lieutenant SMITH were wounded. Between 12.00 noon and 3.00pm Germans threatened counter attack, very heavy shelling of all lines. “A” Company brought to Battalion Headquarters and 2 platoons sent to reinforce 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. At 12.00 noon Colonel KUMME, 2 officers and 30 men captured by “D” Company. Between 4.00pm and 7.00pm Brigadier came and ordered all available men to attack the north western edge of the wood. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain EMMETT and 2nd Lieutenant STEPHENS with about 50 men advanced roping in about 100 men of 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT as supports. Captain EMMETT with 40 men reached the north western edge of the wood and killed 4 German observers and attempted to charge the German trenches 50 yards from the edge of the wood. Captain EMMETT and 36 men were killed by machine gun fire. Meanwhile Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT and a few of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had reached the railway line and came under enfilade machine gun fire (Lieutenant STEPHENS was killed). The edge of the wood close to the village was cleared and a small drive was organised towards Captain EMMETT’S party. They came under heavy sniping fire and Lieutenant HINCKLEY was wounded and most of his men killed or wounded. 7.00pm all posts started consolidating where they were. Patrols sent out constantly from the strong posts. Rough positions as below (On the Battalion Diary page a rough sketch shows the positions of the Companies) Between 9.00pm and 11.00pm heavy shelling and enemy rifle fire but no actual organised attack.
On Friday July 19th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. The following local names have appeared in the official casualty lists published during the past week: - From Saturday’s list: - Killed. Leicestershire Regt. – Holland, 16367 Act.-Sergt. E. (Sileby).