Francis Joseph Holland

A Private with the 1/4th Battalion, Francis died on 3rd of November 1917 at the age of 25.

Francis was born at Beccles in 1892, a son of George and Mary Holland. In 1901 his family lived at 1 Melbourne Terrace, Denmark Road, Beccles. Later his parents lived at 4 Rosemary Lane, Beccles. By 1911 Franceis was living with, and working as a market garden labourer for, Margaret Carey of Uralla House, Beccles. Later records show Margaret Carey as Francis’ foster-mother. By 1918 Margaret was living at Flowerlands, Lound Road, Blundeston.

Francis enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Northamptonshire Regiment, service number 45976. He was posted to Egypt to join the 1/4th Battalion. 

By 1 November 1917 the 1/4th Battalion were in readiness for their part of the Third Battle of Gaza. During the night of 1-2 November 1917 C Company was attached to the 1/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, and, at 2.05 a.m., the rest of the battalion left their bivouac area and moved a long the beach. Units of the battalion were to take positions known as Lion, Tiger and Dog and prepare a route for a cavalry advance. A Company began their attack at 6.30 a.m., but the promised tank support did not materialise and there was no artillery support and so they were halted about 400 yards from their objective until artillery support was put in place. At 7.32 a.m. Lion was taken but soon afterwards there was a string enemy counter-attack. Because of the attacks being held up, units of the battalion withdrew along the beach to Sheikh Hasan. At 11.30 a.m. the battalion were to attack Lion, Tiger and Dog once more, but this order was cancelled and instead they were ordered to take Tortoise Hill and Belah Trench. At 14.30 C and D Companies began the attack, with A Company in reserve. They were heavily counter-attacked and withdrew to Sheikh Hassan once again. The battalion suffered heavy casualties. 

During the attack one officer and 60 men were killed and numerous others, including Francis, wounded. He died of his wounds the next day.