Private Paul Holman
1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company Infantry, 1625
Killed in Action
Date of Birth: 7th February 1893
Place of Birth: Wandsworth, London
Date of Death: 16th February 1915 aged 22
Buried: Remembered on the Dawlish War Memorial (WMR 25860) Dawlish, Devon
Awarded the 1914 Star with clasp, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal
Paul Holman was born 7th February 1893 in Streatham, London.
His mother Sophia Hawkes Holman was born in Exeter, Devon (1863-1933). Sophia's father Thomas had been born in Redruth, Cornwall. He had been Head Baliff of the County Court.
Paul's father Herbert Holman was born in The Elms on the Strand, Topsham, Devon (1862-1928), he was a Barrister-at-law, his father Richard (also born in Topsham) had been a ship owner and amassed a vast fortune. The Holman family of Topsham have a long history with shipping.
In 1901 eight year old Paul was a boarder at Banstead Hall preparatory school in Surrey.
By 1911 Paul was an undergraduate boarding at Porthminster Hotel, St Ives, Cornwall. His mother was also present.
| Paul and his siblings | |
| Dorothy Andrew Holman 1888-1983 |
Alwyn Haswell Holman 1890-1940 |
| Eileen Joyce Dor Holman 1891-1981 |
Paul Holman 1893-1915 |
| Hester Mary Holman 1899-1934 |
Herbert Leigh Holman 1900-1982 |
"The King inspecting the foreigh service battalion of the old-established Honourable Artillery Company, of which his majesty is Captain-General, before they leave headquarters in London". The War Illustrated 1915-1919. Public Domain
Honourable Artillery Company Infantry Cap Badge
Two Honourable Artillery Company infantry battalions and five artillery batteries were mobilised for active service overseas during the First World War. After the outbreak of war, the existing half Infantry Battalion was brought up to full strength and became the 1st Battalion, serving in France and Flanders from 18 September 1914. Paul enlisted at Armoury House, their London home and went with them as a Private (Reg No. 1625).
"The British Grenadiers", the official Regimental Quick March of the Honourable Artillery Company.
The 1st Battalion went to France and fought in the 1st Battle of Ypres (19 Oct 1914 – 30 Nov 1914), they were in billets in Locre when Paul was killed at night whilst on sentry duty on 17 February 1915.
Paul is remembered on the Dawlish War Memorial (WMR 25860) Dawlish, Devon.
Paul's sister Dorothy Andrew Holman served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) during the war, at that time she gave her permanent address as Holcombe Down Teignmouth, the house was used by the family as holiday home and as an alternative residence. It was the home of Pauls' mother Sophia when she died in 1933.
Paul's brother Herbert married the actress Vivian Mary Hartley (Vivian Leigh) in 1932. Vivian is best known for her leading role as Scarlet O'Hara in the 1929 film Gone with the Wind with Clark Gable (Rhett Butler).
An extract from 'The Western Times, Wednesday September 17, 1902'
Late Mr. T. Andrew
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Funeral rites at Exeter yesterday
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Third carriage - Mrs. J.W. Hussey (daughter), Mr. J.W. Hussey (son-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. H Holman.
Fourth carriage - Rev. W. David, Rev. W.R. Spencer, Masters W. and Paul Holman, Miss Holman, and Miss Joyce Holman.
