Tuesday 9 June 2015

Holden, Martin William - Private (25086)

Pte Martin Wm Holden
11th Battalion,
East Lancashire Regiment,
Killed in Action,
12th April 1918
Age 27,
Commemorated Ploegsteert Memorial.

Newspaper Report:

News has been received of the death in action on the 12th April in France of Private Martin William Holden, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Holden, Whittaker Terrace, Haslingden and formerly of Rake Head, Stacksteads.
Private Holden was 27 years of age, and joined up in February 1916.  In the following February he was wounded and spent some time in hospital at Gosforth.  He returned to France at the beginning of last September with the East Lancashire Regiment.
At the time he enlisted Private Holden was employed at Halsteads Bleach Works, Holden Wood and for a long time prior to that he had worked in the Grane Quarries.
His father was for over 20 years in the employ of Messrs. Henry Heys and Company, Quarry Owners of Stacksteads and is now employed in the office of Messrs. Mitchell Bros, Albert Works, Whitewell Bottom.
Another son of Mr. and Mrs. Holden, Sergt. J. Holden is at present with the East Lancashires in France, and another one, who is serving with the Lancashire Fusiliers, was discharged from the army a fortnight ago, following sever wounds which he received in March of last year.

Newpaper Memorials:

In loving memory of our dear Son and Brother, Pte. Martin William Holden, Z Coy, 11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment who was killed in action at Balieul, France, April 12th 1918.

"One year has passed, and still we miss him,
Loving him dearly, his memory we'll keep;
Not till life ends will we ever forget him,
Dear to our hearts is the place where he sleeps."

From Father, mother, Brothers and Sisters, 17 Whitaker's Terrace, Haslingden.

"We cannot tell who next may fall,
Beneath Thy Chastening rod;
One must be first, but let us all,
Prepare to meet our God.

He bade no friend a last farewell,
Nor waved his hand to none;
He took his flight before we knew,
That he from us had gone."

From his Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters.