Discharged from the army and back home to Rugeley

On the 19th July 1918, my Great Uncle James Hollins who was serving as a Private with the 1/6th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment was discharged from active service.

James Hollins

James, also known as Jim or Jimmy, was born on the 15th September 1890 in Rugeley, Staffordshire. He was the third child of Benjamin James and Ann Hollins (nee Hodson). He had an older sister Mary Ann Hollins (Born 1884, Woodseaves, Staffs) and an older brother Benjamin (Born 1887, Rugeley, Staffs) who had died of his wounds in November 1915, after being gassed most likely in the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt. He also had two younger brothers Edward, also known as Ted, (Born 16th March 1895, Rugeley, Staffs) and Arthur (My Grandfather – Born 18th February 1897, Rugeley Staffs).

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

Hollins family circa 1908 - 1910 at Bow Street
Standing L-R Mary, Edward, James, Arthur, Ben
Seated L-R Benjamin, Ann

James' mother Ann Hollins had passed away in 1913.

James had enlisted with the Army on the 23rd Jan 1912 (Source SWB record) and had arrived in France along with the rest of the battalion including his brother Benjamin on the 5th March 1915.

James Hollins around 1908

He took part in the attack on Hohenzollern Redoubt on the 13th October 1915 and was wounded in the assault which cost so many Staffordshire lives.

James married Frances Mary Moore between January and March 1918 in Rugeley. Their first child Doris M Hollins would be born in Rugeley on the 15th October 1918, so no doubt it was a relief for the pregnant Frances that on the 19th July James Hollins was discharged from the army under Kings regulations 392 (xvi) – being no longer physically fit for war service.

After their marriage James and Frances lived in Sandy Lane, Rugeley.

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..