Pte
James Holden
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1898 |
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Place of birth: Carlow, County Carlow, Ireland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Labourer |
Army information
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Country: Ireland, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 27699 |
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Enlistment place: Athy, County Kildare, Ireland, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 7th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 16/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Delva Farm, Zonnebeke, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 19 |
Memorial
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Tyne Cot Memorial Panel: 71A |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Private Hames Holden was serving with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 7th Battalion, part of the 49th Brigade, of the 16th Division.
From 16-18th August 1917, the 7th Battalion was involved in the Battle of Langemark, a sub battle in the Battle of Passchendaele. On the morning of 16th August 1917, the 49th Brigade attacked on the Frezenberg Ridge with the 7th Battalion to the left of Beck House and the 8th Battalion to the right. The Battalions managed to secure Beck house one hour into the fighting, and had sustained minimal loses due to escaping German shelling. Whilst the 8th Battalion turned towards Borry Farm, the 7th Inniskillings continued onwards towards Delva Farm, which British high command deemed a strong point. James’ battalion took control of the position, however an German counterattack flanked the 7th Battalion, which lead to heavy casualties and the loss of control of Delva farm.
Private Holden was one of the 368 casualties of the 7th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers on 16 August 1917. He went missing during the fighting, possibly while his Battalion retreated from Delva Farm, leaving behind the dead and gravely injured. James has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
From 16-18th August 1917, the 7th Battalion was involved in the Battle of Langemark, a sub battle in the Battle of Passchendaele. On the morning of 16th August 1917, the 49th Brigade attacked on the Frezenberg Ridge with the 7th Battalion to the left of Beck House and the 8th Battalion to the right. The Battalions managed to secure Beck house one hour into the fighting, and had sustained minimal loses due to escaping German shelling. Whilst the 8th Battalion turned towards Borry Farm, the 7th Inniskillings continued onwards towards Delva Farm, which British high command deemed a strong point. James’ battalion took control of the position, however an German counterattack flanked the 7th Battalion, which lead to heavy casualties and the loss of control of Delva farm.
Private Holden was one of the 368 casualties of the 7th Battalion Inniskilling Fusiliers on 16 August 1917. He went missing during the fighting, possibly while his Battalion retreated from Delva Farm, leaving behind the dead and gravely injured. James has no known grave and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Sources 6
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"Passchendaele. The Day-by-Day Account", McCarthy C., London, Uniform, 2018, pg. 52-53. Sources used |
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"The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in The World War", Fox F., Uckfield, The Naval & Military Press LTD, 2009, pg. 99-102. Sources used |
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Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/ Sources used |
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CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/836899/JAMES%20HOLDEN/ Sources used |
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The Long Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/ Sources used |
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War Diary Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, 7th Bn. http://www.nmarchive.com Sources used |