My Great Grandfather, Walter Augustus Hollington, was born in 1883, served in the Lancers from 1899 to 1903 during the Boer War, worked as a Cabinet Maker from 1903 to 1914 and then served with the Royal Engineers in World War 1. He was killed in action in Belgium in 1918 leaving a widow and 5 small children. Early Life 1883 - 1899 Walter Augustus Hollington was born at 79 West Street, Mile End Old Town on 6th February 1883. He was the 7th child of 8 born to Charles Hollington, a Cigar Maker, and his wife Elizabeth. In 1891 the census shows Walter's family have moved to 32 Temple Street, just a couple of streets away from West Street, and 8 year old Walter is a school boy. He attended Teesdale Street School, just a few hundred yards from his home. In 1893 Walter joined the Band of Hope, a a temperance society for working class children. The Band of Hope was formed in 1847 in Leeds by Mrs Ann Jane Carlile, a 72-year old Irish Christian and Jabez Tunnicliffe, a young minister. On becoming a member Walter would have taken a pledge to “abstain from all intoxicating drinks as beverages” he would have attended lectures and activities designed to instil Christian values and encourage children to avoid problems with alcohol, he may also have gone on organised outings. St Jude’s Institute, built in Bethnal Green in 1896, was used by the Band of Hope and Walter would probably have attended meetings there if he were still a member. I believe that St Jude's was in Old Bethnal Green Road but the church has now gone. At age 13 Walter reached the upper age limit for compulsory schooling enforced by the 1891 Education Act and received a certificate to show he was exempt from school being 13 and having clocked up the minimum number of attendances in the previous 5 years. This certificate would have been produced to prospective employers to ensure they were legally employing him Military Service in the 2nd Boer War 1899-1903 Walter was a cabinet maker in later years and probably started work in this line as soon as he left school but three years later, in 1899, he enlisted in the 12th Lancers. The Second Boer War was just about to begin and, despite being below the minimum age for service of 18 (19 for overseas service) Walter signed up in August 1899. We think he must have lied about his age, giving it as 18 or 19, as when he was discharged in January 1903 his papers give his age as 21 years and 10 months when his actual age at that date would have been 19 years and 11 months. Walter served for 3 years and 140 days with the Lancers before being discharged with a final 12 month pension of Sixpence a day in January 1903. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal with "Cape Colony" and "South Africa 1902" clasps. This indicates he was not involved in the major actions of the war but in the later skirmishes. Walter's discharge papers give a description of him as 5' 7 1/2" tall with a fresh complexion, dark brown hair and hazel eyes. His trade is given as cabinet maker. Marriage to Rebecca Windell 1905 After his discharge from the Lancers Walter returned to Bethnal Green and his trade of cabinet making. On Christmas Day 1905 he married Rebecca Florence Windell (Becky) at St Matthew's Church, Bethnal Green. Becky was 24, the daughter of James Windell a painter and paper-hanger, she was born at 54 Brick Lane and lived with her family at Pelham Street, Chanbord Street and at the time of her marriage was living at 99 Teesdale Street. Shortly after their marriage Walter & Becky move to number 45 Patriot Square where the family remain until Becky's death in 1953. They had five children; Rebecca Elizabeth (Becky) 1907, Lillian Maud (Lily) 1908, Walter Charles (Wally) 1911, William John (Bill) 1912 and John Augustus (Jack) 1914 (my Grandfather) Service in World War 1, 1914-1918 Walter was called up early in World War 1 and served as a driver in the 1st London Company, Royal Engineers. It may be that his earlier service with the Lancers meant he had experience with horses. In the summer of 1915 he was in Belgium on the Western Front from where he wrote a number of letters and cards home during July and August. We believe he was injured in the autumn/early winter of that year and returned to England. In November 1915 he was at Woodcote Park Convalescent Hospital near Epsom from where he sent a postcard to his family. By December 1915 he was barracked in horse boxes on Sandown race course at Esher, Surrey where he seems to have remained over Christmas 1915 sending several postcards home. At some point he was also at Bethnal Green Military hospital where he was photographed at an open air concert for an article in "War Illustrated". Presumably he was sent here to be near his family. Walter appears to have remained at Esher until at least the summer of 1916 as he sent a birthday card to his daughter Lily from there. The next information we have about him is not until the Spring of 1918 when he is once again in Belgium and has been posted to the 122nd Field Company Royal Engineers. We have one letter written in April 1918 in which he says he is in good spirits and "confident of pulling through this stunt". There is one more letter written to Lily on her birthday in July 1918. Walter Augustus Hollington was killed in action on 16th October 1918 and was buried in an isolated grave at Courtrai (Kortrijk) Belgium. We have a photograph of his grave was taken by a Sgt Attrill of the Royal Engineers along with a letter he sent to Becky in April 1919 offering to take a photograph of the grave for her. '122nd Field Coy RE BEF 8.4.14 France Dear Mrs Hollington I was down at Courtrai a few days ago, in fact I went on furloe to see how things were looking, & whilst there I wondered if you would like a photograph of poor Walt’s grave. It is a very funny thing to write about, some people would not care for such a thing, but I feel as if I would like to do something for you. I am always thinking of Walt, him & I were such great pals. Well Mrs Hollington, the grave has been well looked after, at Xmas two Sappers went down & fixed a railing round, & put some new trees round. It looks very tidy indeed. I have not written to you lately because every day seems to be the last out here for me, but still the months go by , & no sign yet of getting home. I will call round & see you when I do come. Walters Steel Helmet still lies on the grave, So if you care to have a photograph, don’t be afraid to let me know. Hoping you are quite well, With kind regards Yours Respectfully George G, Attrill, Sergt RE' He was later moved to Dadizeele New British Cemetery, Moorsleede, West-Vlaanderen and his citation in the Debt of Honour Register maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission reads “In Memory of Walter Augustus Hollington Lance Corporal 546283 122nd Field Coy., Royal Engineers who died on Wednesday 16 October 1918. Age 36. Son of Charles and Elizabeth Hollington, of Bethnal green, London; husband of Rebecca Florence Hollington of 45, Patriot Square, Bethnal Green, London” Becky and the children Rebecca Florence Hollington (Becky) remained in the house at Patriot Square her whole life and brought up her five children alone.She died on 12th February 1953 aged 70 and is buried at Manor Park Cemetery. Walter and Rebecca's youngest son, John Augustus my Grandfather, was born in 1914 whilst his father was serving with the Royal Engineers in World War I. Walter Augustus was killed in action on Wednesday 16th October 1918 and so my Grandfather never knew his father. He himself served in World War 2 and, similarly, left behind a new born son, my father, who was born in July 1939 just before he was posted overseas.

Wendy Beckett (nee Hollington)