Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of George Holling, a quarryman, born 1855 in Barkby, Leicestershire, and his wife Elizabeth Holling (nee Walker, married in the 1st quarter of 1878 in the Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire district)), born 1859 in Thrussington, Leicestershire. Ernest who was a schoolboy, was born in the 4th quarter of 1886 in Wanlip, Leicestershire, his siblings were, George Henry, a farm worker, born 1878 and Hannah Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1880, the latter two siblings were both born in Thrussington, Leicestershire, Emma, a schoolgirl, born 1882 in Syston, Leicestershire, Ada, a schoolgirl, born 1884 in Barkby, Leicestershire, and Gertrude, born 1889 in Rothley, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Rossly Lane, Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. In March 1901 Ernest was employed as a farm plough driver and was residing in the family home at White Lodge Farm House, Cossington, Leicestershire, together with his father, a farm wagoner, his mother and siblings, George, a farm stockman, Hannah, who was disabled, Emma, a domestic servant, Gertrude , a domestic servant, William James, born 1892 in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire, Ruth, born 1894, Thomas, born 1897 and Ethel May, born 1900, the latter three siblings were all born in Cossington, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Ernest was absent from the family home at Queen Street, Sileby, Leicestershire, residing there was his father and mother and siblings, William, a labourer, Ruth, a shoe trade worker and Ethel, Ernest was serving as a Private with the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment and was stationed at Fort Saint George, Madras, India.
The War Diary records: 19 Nov-14 - Quiet all day. Casualties one man killed and three wounded.
On Friday December 11th 1914 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – SILEBY’S ROLL OF HONOUR. - A WORTHY RECORD. – It is estimated that between 80 and 100 men from Sileby are serving in various regiments at the front or in the fleet, and the following is a list of those who have already either fallen or have been wounded, or made prisoners:- Private A. Freer, Highland Light Infantry, died from wounds, and buried with military honours at Versailles, on September 30. He was a reservist and leaves a widow at Sileby. Private W. H. Meadows, 2nd Grenadier Guards, killed in action and buried at Rond de la Reine. He was a reservist, and leaves a widow and one child at Sileby. Private E. Riddle, 10th Hussars, wounded. Private Hollings, 1st Leicester Regiment, has been unofficially reported killed. His parents are unable to obtain any information concerning him, and have not heard from him for five weeks. Sergeant Dennis King, King’s Royal Rifles, died suddenly of heart disease in France. Private A. Widdowson, 3rd Coldstream Guards, reported dangerously wounded on the 14th September. Since that date his friends have been unable to obtain any information concerning him. Private B. Riddle, (brother of E. Riddle). K.R.R., wounded in the foot. Private Shuttlewood, Leicester Regiment, severely wounded, and in hospital at Boulogne. Private A. Sharp, K.R.R., and Private J. Dakin, Leicester Regiment, prisoners of war in Gottingen.