Andrew Holland
Officer’s Steward 1st Class (Dev) 364779
Andrew was the oldest child of George and Mary Holland, born on 16th December 1887 in the district of Yeovil, Somerset. On the 1891 census he was aged four and had a younger sister named Rose, who was a year old. The family lived at North Street in Chisel borough and George worked as a farm labourer to support his family.
By 1901 Andrew was recorded with his Aunt and Uncle and their family at 30 Arliss Road, Battersea on the census - he did not have an occupation recorded against his entry but as he was then aged fourteen it would not have been long until he was in employment.
He had returned to Somerset however by the 1911 census - he was aged twenty four and listed with another person residing at Cat Street “near the new Inn” which could have been the Cat Head Inn. As he was married later that year to Beatrice Paul, it is possible they had already set up a home prior to marriage. His parents still lived at North Street in the same village.
Andrew worked as a footman for a while but joined the Navy as a Domestic 3rd Class on 22nd May 1906, recorded as 5’5” tall, growing to 5’7” at full age, with brown hair and brown eyes.
His service details follow:
HMS VIVID I - 22/05/1906 - 13/07/1906
HMS BLAKE - 14/07/1906 - 26/06/1907, rising to Domestic 2nd Class on 02/04/1907
HMS LEANDER - 27/06/1907 - 30/06/1907
HMS BLAKE - 01/07/1907 - 05/08/1908, rising to Officer’s Steward 2nd Class on 01/10/1907
HMS VIVID I - 06/08/1908 - 04/09/1908
HMS CORNWALL - 05/09/1908 - 14/01/1910
HMS NATAL - 15/01/1910 - 27/06/1911, rising to Officer’s Steward 1st Class on 16/05/1911
HMS VIVID I - 28/06/1911 - 14/08/1911
HMS COLOSSUS - 15/08/1911 - 17/11/1911
HMS VIVID I - 18/11/1911 - 03/01/1912
HMS VANGUARD - 04/01/1912 - 09/07/1917, joining the Freemasons Royal Naval Lodge on 5th April 1916 Andrew also served during the Battle of Jutland.
Andrew was one of the longest serving members of the Dreadnought VANGUARD when she exploded at anchor, killing all but two who were aboard that evening.
Beatrice was awarded his pension following his death, along with his Star, Victory and British war medals.
As his body was never recovered from the accident he is listed on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in perpetuity.
#304 - 400/843
Sources:
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915 Free BMD
1891, 1901 & 1911 England Census
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915
England, United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921 Library and Museum of Freemasonry; London, England; Freemasonry Membership Registers; Description: Membership Registers: Country EE 3242-3352 to Country FF 3353-3462; Reel Number: 56
UK, Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services, 1848-1939 The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Royal Navy Registers of Seamen's Services; Class: ADM 188; Piece: 556
UK, British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 The National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty: Naval Casualties, Indexes, War Grave Rolls and Statistics Book, First World War.; Class: ADM 242; Piece: 008 (1914 - 1919)
British Army and Navy Birth, Marriage and Death Records, 1730-1960 National Archives of the UK; Kew, Surrey, England; Admiralty and predecessors: Office of the Director General of the Medical Department of the Navy and predecessors: Service Registers and Registers of Deaths and Injuries. Registers of Reports of Deaths
CWGC Register
Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919 TNA Series: ADM 242/8; Scan Number: 0949
World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 100/0454/HOL-HOL
Naval Medal and Award Rolls, 1793-1972 Class: ADM 171; Piece: 105
Photo source Somerset Archives
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