Frederick William Holland

Lance Corporal

Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derbys Regiment) 12489

3rd Battalion
15th Battalion; 10th Coy; 3rd platoon

Lea Mills postcard

Frederick Holland photo in WW1

Notes
He volunteered in 1914 at the same time as his friend James Toplis. He left to serve on 21 August 1914 and was sent to train as signaller with the 3rd Battalion Sherwood Foresters at Roker in Sunderland. As the newspaper reports show there were many coincidences in what happened to both Frederick and his friend James Toplis.

Medal Card Index
He was awarded the Victory, British War and 15 Star Medals.
Entered Balkans prior 31/12/15
Demobbed 04/03/19

Newspaper Reports

High Peak News, 10 September 1914
CROMFORD
THE ROLL OF HONOUR
A SPLENDID LIST

Mr F.C. Arkwright, D.L.,J.P. is commendably arranging Rolls of Honour for each of the districts, and that for Cromford has been placed outside the Institute. The names of the brave men are as follows:–
New Army (Sherwood Foresters) – Ernest Allen, Harry Britland, Robert Britland, Frank Brown, James Gibbs, Geo. Gibbs, Joseph Gladwin, Jno. Wm. Gould, Jno. H. Gregory, Fredk. Holland, Jas. Holmes, Geo. Lloyd, Lawrence Musgrave, Bertrand Parker, Chas. Parker, Harry Parker, Samuel Pearson, Joseph Pidcock, Geo. Robinson, Jas. Robinson, Samuel Taylor, Jas. Toplis

High Peak News , 28 August 1915
PRIVATES HOLLAND AND TOPLIS WOUNDED
A SERIES OF COINCIDENCES

News arrived on Wednesday of the wounding at the Dardanelles of private Fred Holland and Jas. Toplis, of Cromford, but we are glad to hear that the injuries are not serious. It is phenomenally remarkable that there are
TWIN HAPPENINGS
in several directions associated with the two soldiers. Private Holland and Toplis are close friends; they both worked at Lea Mills before the war broke out; both are joined the Army together, and where the first to do so in Cromford, Gibbs being the third to join at the same time; then both were enlisted together in the Sherwoods; next both or sent to the Dardanelles to fight for King and Country; and now comes the news that both were wounded by bullets the same day there, and the most curious of all, both was shot through the knees. Holland sailed sale for home, and so did Toplis; but in this only they were on separate ships.
Private Holland wrote his parents (Mr and Mrs Geo. Holland, Market Place as follows: – "I am writing this before I know where I'm going to sent.
YOU WILL BE SURPRISED
to hear I am in the England again. We are indeed lucky, as all the hospitals out there are full, and we had to go on the steamer –. My wound is very slight, for a good job only a flesh wound by a bullet, and I'm nearly right again, and I shall be home in a week or so and will see you soon. We had a splendid voyage, but I could not eat anything and have just had a good meal on the train, and it was nice. Well, I am longing to see you, and you can tell Mr Jas. Toplis (Scarthin) that Jim is going on all right; he is slightly hurt, but it is slightly worse than mine, and we were shot together, both in the knee. I do not know where he is, but he is quite safe. Only he was put on another boat, and I don't know where they sent him. I think I am going to Glasgow (a postcard since says he is there).
DON'T BOTHER ABOUT ME
I am nearly better, and can walk now. I got a bullet through the leg, just above the knee. I am lucky getting sent to England. I had rather a bad time of it out there, and will tell you when I write again. My word, it is different to being in England again."
Good look to both our soldier friends.

High Peak News 4th September 1915
CROMFORD
COMRADES WOUNDED

Newspaper photo of Private Holland and Toplis in 1915
Pte F. HOLLAND and Pte J.H TOPLIS

As we indicated last week by a singular coincidence Privates Fred Holland and J.H.Toplis had been wounded at the Dardanelles both both in the knee, the same Regiment, and on the same date.
Private Holland was sent home is now in hospital at Glasgow. Private Toplis was sent on, it is presumed, to hospital at Alexandria. His letters to his father, Mr Jas Toplis of 2 Scarthin Terrace, and his sister, Miss Toplis have been delayed some time. The latest, which had been received up to Saturday morning, dated August 4th, and it said: – "I have just received the parcel you posted on the 30th of June, also a letter dated July 18th. The cake you sent
WAS A TREAT
and not so stale considering the three weeks it been knocking about. Fred also got a parcel. They were both badly damaged but that was to be expected. I suppose you will have received my last few letters by now. We are having a little rest are just now, but we expect to be amongst it again soon. Glad to know the photo came out all right and I should like one of the photo ( it is the one above and Private Toplis has not seen it yet as it was taken just before he sailed from England) I don't think there is much chance of dropping across cousin Stanley Haynes (he is one of the four brothers Haynes of Beely photos of whom appeared in the "High Peak News.") The letter goes on to say: – "we are nowhere near him (Private Toplis does not know that it is Frank who is in Egypt and not Stanley Haynes). I
SHALL HAVE PLENTY TO TELL YOU
when we come home again. Of course, you will understand we cannot say very much in our letters. It was not so bad in the trenches except with the dead lying about everywhere. Don't forget to send me the photo."
On the day the news came that he was wounded Mr Toplis received a postcard which said: – "Going on all right. I have been in the trenches for several days." This postcard had been delayed considerably on the way.

Derbyshire Times, 11 September 1915
CROMFORD TRIO WOUNDED
Three of Cromford's representatives in the Dardanelles – Privates Fred Holland, James Toplis and Harry Britland, of the 9th Sherwood Foresters – have been wounded. On Wednesday Mr and Mrs Holland of the Market Place, Cromford, received a letter from their son, who is in a Glasgow Hospital, stating that he and Toplis had been wounded but further information was contained in a letter which came to hand on Thursday. He wrote as follows: – "We had to shift from the trenches to make a fresh landing place, and it was in this engagement I was wounded, as also were Jim Toplis and H.Britland. I don't know where they have been sent to. We made the landing all right, and drove the Turks several miles, but fell into a trap in the finish, and I am sorry to say there are not many of us left. I did not see anything of Frank Brown, but from enquiries I heard he was all right when I left. I am indeed lucky getting sent over here and I only wish I was nearer home. They are all strangers and Scots here, and we don't get many visitors, although it is only just outside Glasgow. My wound is nearly better and I shall be home in a few weeks. It is a bullet wound just above the knee. It went straight through, and made rather a big gash. I am confined to bed here, and have just had a chicken for my dinner. I can walk about all right, so shall soon be home when they let me get up. I have not heard from anyone since leaving England. We suffered tortures and were without water for days. All the water had been poisoned and there was very little of that. Tell Mrs Toplis that Jim is going on alright. His wound is nothing serious, but is slightly worse than mine. We were shot together, both in the knee."
There's no news of Pte Britland beyond the reference in Pte Holland's letter. Before the War Holland and Toplis were employed at Lea Mills. They were the first to enlist from Cromford, and as the letter shows, they fought and fell together.

High Peak News 23 October1915
HOME AGAIN!

newspaper photo of Frederock Holland in 1915

PTE. FRED HOLLAND
Home again is sweet, and doubly sweet, when our warriors come home fall of fight and determination. Some time ago we chronicled the fact that private Fred Holland had been wounded in the big advance made by our Army against the Turks in the Gallipoli Peninsula.
Private Holland is now at home with his parents in the Market Place on ten days leave. After which he will return to his depot. He is progressing satisfactorily after his being at the Dardanelles. He was shot through the left knee, and since he came to hospital in England he had a touch of jaundice – fortunately he has recovered from all of this. Seen by our representative he has modestly said he and his comrade, Pte Jas. Toplis, were both shot through the left knee, but Pte Toplis's wound was lower down the leg. They were shot at the same time and had been comrades from the time they enlisted together. Pte. Toplis is still in the Gallipoli having, we are glad to say, recovered from his wound. Speaking of the country at the Dardanelles, Private Holland said they were very short of water and the weather was tremendously hot when he was there fighting. Asked if had seen any of the
MATLOCK BOYS
he replied in the affirmative – they were on the left of where he was stationed, And he often saw Sergt. J.Margerrison. Three of them stuck together and one was Private Dick Coates (whose brother Clarence died at the Gallipoli last week).
Seeing Private Dick Coates was a well-known comic vocalist in the Matlock District, we asked Private Holland whether he was as cheery as ever and the reply was "Certainly." He added they had many a concert in the dug-outs and on the boats every night. He and Private Dick Coates (whose stage name here was Togo) slept
IN THE SAME DUG-OUT
Of the famous landing on August 6th Private Holland said they managed that quite well, but it was on the 9th when they made the general advance across the six miles of plain in spite of shell and shot. Private Holland speaks in high terms of the hospital staffs abroad and in England. He had had a home from home in England since he landed, and had had every care and attention.

Letters to JB Marsden-Smedley

12489
Signallers
3rd Sherwood Foresters, Roker, Sunderland
Dear Sir
I received parcel quite safe, and beg to thank you for same, and it came as a very pleasant surprise.
As you will see I am still in England and have not been out again since the Dardanelles campaign.
It is always pleasant for us to know we are still thought of and I shall always have very pleasant recollections of the works.
Please convey my warmest thanks to Mr. AS Marsden-Smedley also.
Wishing the firm every success and Hoping all will Have a very Happy Xmas under these trying circumstances.
I remain
Yours obediently
Pte F Holland

30/8/17
Dear Sir
I was most pleased to receive parcel and beg to thank you for same.
It came at a most opportune moment as we had just returned from the line, after a severe engagement having took a position and afterwards holding it in spite of very heavy counter attacks.
So the good things were enjoyed and full justice done to the extras received.
It is always pleasant to know one is not forgotten by those at home.
Wishing you and the Firm every success and thanking you again.
Yours Sincerely
F Holland
15th Sherwoods

17/12/17
Dear Sir
Received your most welcome parcel of underclothing and wish to thank you for same.
I can assure you they will come in most handy as the state of affairs here makes one need all the warm clothing that can be got.
We have been well among things lately and are now getting a little rest for which we all feel the need.
I had the luck to drop across J. Toplis and S. Bartlett the other day and both were looking well.
I am pleased to say things are looking much brighter out here and I hope we shall have a speedy finish.
Hoping all will have a very pleasant Christmas and wishing the firm every success.
Thanking you again for gift.
I remain
Yours Gratefully
Sgt? F Holland 12484
15th Sher. For.

31/1/18
Dear Sir
Many thanks for welcome parcel received and for good wishes contained therein.
We are still well among things here and having our full share of recent happenings.
I am expecting getting over soon for a look round of things and hope to find things as busy at the old place as can be.
It gives one pleasant recollections of the association of being with such a benevolent firm in past days and the knowledge that the people at home still have us in their minds gives us great help to carry on.
Wishing you and the old firm every success in the New Year.
Thanking you again I remain
Yours Gratefully
F Holland 12489
15th Sher. For.

25/9/18
Dear Sir
Pleased to inform you I received parcel quite safe and it was very welcome at the time.
Please allow me to thank you for same also for good wishes therein.
Hoping we shall soon have an early finish as things are going very well just now and wishing the firm every success
I remain Yours Sincerely
L/ Cpl Holland F

His name is recorded on the Cromford Roll of Honour in St Mary's Church.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Market Place Cromford

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
George Holland Head 47 Glass & timber dealer Matlock Bath
Harriet Holland wife 44   Matlock Bath
Edith Holland daughter 10   Matlock Bath
James Holland son 7   Matlock Bath
Frederick W Holland son 6   Matlock Bath
James Holland father in law 78 Retired engine driver Crich
Mary Florence Holland sister in law 34   Matlock Bath

RG13 piece 3265 folio 63 page 8

1911: Cromfords

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
George Holland Head 58 Railway construction labourer Matlock Bath
Harriet Holland wife 55   Matlock Bath
Edith Holland daughter 20 Hosiery trimmer Matlock Bath
Frederick William Holland son 16 Hosiery machinist Matlock Bath

RG14PN21214 RG78PN1262 RD439 SD2 ED16 SN5