William James Holsey (1877-1918)

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An ongoing project to commemorate and research the lives of those who appear on war memorials and rolls of honour in the local area, who served in the military, or whose deaths were linked to conflict.

Biography

William James Holsey

William James Holsey was born on 26 June 1876 at Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, the son of gardener and farmer William Holsey.

Although the 1911 Census records his father residing at Law Farm, Southowram, Halifax, William James' probate record records his residence prior to enlisting as Shelley Woodhouse.

He sailed to Canada from Liverpool in March 1915 aboard the Scandinavian.

The slightly erroneous entry in J. Margaret Stansfield's book may be a mismatch for William James' younger half-brother Wilfred Holsey (1891-1916) who is the person named on the memorial at Emmanuel Church, Shelley. If so, it is uncertain what Wilfred's link to the Shelley area was.[1]

Huddersfield's Roll of Honour: 1914-1922

The following extract is from Huddersfield's Roll of Honour: 1914-1922 (2014) by J. Margaret Stansfield:

HOLSEY, WILLIAM. Private. No 148434. 78th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment). Born Shelley. Son of William Holsey, of Shelley Woodhouse, Huddersfield. Killed in action, 2.9.1918, aged 41 years. Buried DURY MILL BRITISH CEMETERY. Grave location:- Plot 1, Row B, Grave 38.
ROH:- Emmanuel Church, Shelley.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

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Notes and References

  1. With grateful thanks to Frank Vanyuscsak for proving information about William James and Wilfred.