HOLDEN Robert Edwin

Appears in the Worcester/Worcestershire Roll of Honour Book for army casualties located in Worcester Cathedral.

Malvern News, 15th September 1917:
Pte Robert Edwin Holden, East Surreys (the third son of the late William Holden and of Mrs Holden of St Albans, Malvern Common was killed in action on the 9th August. The deceased was aged 20 and 8 months. For some time he was in the employ of Mr F Russell Bishop of Rockliffe and afterwards was with Mr Ferucie as a dental mechanic. He enlisted on the 23rd March 1915 and went to France the following July.

Captain Roberts writes the following:
“It is with much regret that I am writing to inform you that your son was killed in action on the evening of the 9th August. He was taking part in an attack on the enemy trenches when he was killed. Death was instantaneous and he could not have suffered any pain. I can only offer you my deepest sympathy and let you know how sorry I am. Your son was a very keen and willing soldier and popular with all. We shall miss him very much indeed. Your consolation will be that he died a noble death for his country. I have made enquiries and find that your son was buried near where he died.”

Sgt H.G. Short writes:
“My dear Mrs Holden
May I please tender my sympathy to you in the loss of your son. Please forgive my intrusion upon your sorrow, but he was a chum of mine, I having brought him out and I feel his death very much. He was a good soldier and British to the backbone. Wherever he was wanted he was there; nothing was too hard or too dangerous for him. Through his death we lost a good comrade and one on whom we could rely. My heart goes out to you in your sorrow. The only satisfaction you have is that he died for honour’s cause. We shall see that his death is repaid.”

The late Mr William Holden (his father) was for many years a GWR passenger guard on the lines between Malvern, Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Hereford – he died on the 9th December 1915.

A photograph of Private R.E. Holden of Malvern can be found in Berrow’s Worcester Journal Supplement, Saturday 15th September 1917, available at Worcestershire Archives.

Robert Holden has no known grave, the photograph available shows his name on Arras Memorial.