From Factory to the Front Line

On the 30^th November 1915 William Herbert Hollins, aged 18, enlisted with the 7^th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.

William Herbert Hollins

He was the oldest child of William and Amy Hollins (nee Sanders). He was born in 1897 in Longford, Warwickshire.

He had 3 sisters Amy (born 1899), Elsie (born 1901) and Nellie (Born 1902) and four brothers Percy (born 1904), Sidney (born 1908), Reginald (Born 1910) and Kenneth (Born 1912).

In 1911, the family were living at 11 Francis St, Coventry. William eventually gained employment at Messrs. Matherson, Huxley and Watson Ltd. The company was an Iron, Brass and Aluminium Founders and suppliers of Castings for Motors. 

His father worked as an Iron Molder as did his uncle Horace Hollins who lived just a few doors away at No. 1 Francis Street.

His uncle’s Horace, George and Charles were all serving and his two aunt’s husbands - James Fisher, had just been killed at Hohenzollern Redoubt and Fred Williscroft had been discharged.

Acknowledgements

With thanks to Stanley Hollins for providing the photograph.

Grandad goes to War

On the 27^th November 1915 my Grandfather, Arthur Hollins, aged just 18, serving as a Driver in the Royal Field Artillery arrived in France.

Arthur Hollins RFA

Arthur Hollins was born on the 18^th February 1897 in Rugeley, Staffordshire the youngest child of Benjamin James and Ann Hollins (Nee Hodson). He had one sister, Mary Ann (born 1884 in Woodseaves) and three brothers Benjamin (Born 1887 in Rugeley), who had just died of wounds , just two weeks prior to Arthur arriving in France. Benjamin had also been badly gassed at the front, James (Jimmy Born 1891 in Rugeley), who had also been wounded in the attack on Hohenzollern Redoubt and Edward (Ted Born 16^th March 1895 in Rugeley) and was also serving in the army.

Arthur Hollins on Horseback WW1

In 1911, the family were living at 27 Bow Street, Rugeley. Arthur (aged 14) was still at school, his father, Benjamin, was a labourer above the ground at the colliery, James was a horse Driver in the local mine, Edward (aged 16 in 1911) also worked in the mines. His sister Mary-Ann was employed doing domestic duties and her daughter Ada Scott Hollins (aged 7) was also with the family..

Maurice Hammon arrives in France

On the 20th November 1915 Maurice Frederick Hammon arrived in France with the Royal Engineers.

Maurice, aged 36 in 1915, was my first cousin 3 times removed was born in Chlesea, London in 1879. The fifth son of six of John Frederick Hammon and Elizabeth Ann Hammon (Nee Bush).  His elder brothers were Ernest (born 1863), Frederick William (born 1866 but died the same year), Arthur (born 1871), all of whom were born in Wimbledon and Alfred (born 1873 in St.Pancras). His younger brother Frederick Sydney Hammon (born 1884 in Southwark).

In 1911 he was living at 55 Elliots Row, Southwark and he married Elizabeth Phypers in 1912 also in Southwark. Their daughter Elsie was born in Southwark in 1913 but had died towards the end of 1914. His father, John was a bricklayer by trade.

After the horror of Hohenzollern - A final resting place in Armitage.

On the 12^th November 1915, my Great Uncle, Benjamin Hollins, who was a Lance Corporal serving with the 1/6^th North Staffordshire regiment died of his wounds.

Benjamin Hollins

The Lichfield Mercury reported the news on Friday 19^th November

Armitage – Military Funeral – The funeral took place, with military honours, at the parish church on Monday afternoon of Lance-Corporal Hollins, the North Staffords, who died of wounds received in action in France. The service was conducted by the Rector (The Rev E. Samson). An escort and firing party attended, and the conclusion of the service the last post was sounded. Lance Corporal Hollins had been in the Old Volunteer Force and Territorials for some years, at the outbreak of war offered himself for foreign service and had been out in France for eight months. A few weeks ago was seriously wounded in the leg and was also badly gassed at Loos. He was removed to the American Women's Hospital, Paignton, South Devon. Leaves Wife and three children. The eldest child is only six years old and the youngest, born since he has been in France, has never seen Lance Corporal Hollins, who was a native of Rugeley and has three brothers now serving with the army, one of them having been twice wounded.

It is likely that Benjamin Hollins received his wounds during the attack on the HohzollernRedoubt on the 13th October, the plight and suffering of the wounded is described in detail during that terrible day.

Also wounded that day was Sergeant Sydney Norton, of the 1/6th North Staffords, who also eventually arrived at a hospital in Devon. From there, he was able to write to his wife in Fazeley and describe how he had reached his present destination:

"I am very comfortable and being well looked after. I only wish they had put me a bit closer to home so you can come and see me but never mind, you will know I am in a safer place and in old England again.

It's a very nice place where I am. About 200 in the same ward and they are all strangers to me. I don't know any of them. It's about 14 miles to Plymouth on the sea coast. I shall be able to tell you more about it next letter.

I arrived here on Sat. night at 6. I started from a place called Bethune in France in a hospital train. It took us 26 hours to get to Le Havre. I was in a bed - nicely fitted up - but in awful pain on my back - could not move. Then I got to No. 2 General Hospital and got my wound dressed before going on the hospital ship. Then we moved on to the ship into beds all fitted up to date. Doctors coming to see us all the while and nurses galore. Then I landed at Southampton and we had to stop in the harbour all night till Sat. morning. We were put into a hospital train there. It took us 10 hours to get to this hospital so you see I had a bit of knocking about”.

I can only assume that Benjamin must endured a similar experience during his evacuation to the American Women’s Hospital in Paignton.

American Women's Hospital, Paignton.

The American Women’s Hospital was the former Oldway Mansion of the Singer family (Of Singer Sewing Machines) The American Women’s War Hospital was housed in a marbled mansion with mirrored corridors reflecting sculptures, paintings and Singer wealth. Its sweeping staircase became the entrance to an operating theatre, its grand ballroom and domed riding school wards of beds, and its ambulances were made by Rolls Royce. Over the course of the war, more than 5,000 men were treated at Oldway.

One can only wonder if Benjamin’s wife Hilda was ever able to visit.

Lance Corporal Hollins was buried at St. John the Baptist Churchyard, Armitage.

Armitage War Memorial

Benjamin Hollins 1915

Of those listed as killed in 1915 on the Armitage war memorial James Clarke (aged 21) was in the 1/6^th North Staffs and died on the 10^th August, Arthur Legge Samson (aged 33) was in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and died on the 25^th September, his father The Rev E. Samson conducted Benjamin’s funeral. Reginald Clarke (aged 19) was killed on the 13^th October in the attack on The Hohenzollern Redoubt and served with the 1/5^th North Staffords. Samuel Leigh (Aged 47) who served in the Royal Veterinary corps and died in March 1915 is also buried at St. John The Baptist in Armitage.

Sources

Callan Chevin - Hell at Hohenzollern

CWGC website

British Newspaper Archive website.