Private Edward Holt to be commemorated by Littleborough History Centre

Private Edward Holt, the first Littleborough serviceman to be killed during the First World War, will be commemorated by Littleborough History Centre.

Private Holt, who was killed on 13 October 1914, will be remembered by the centre as they add his details to their website, inside the centre and inside the windows of the centre so that passengers on alighting trains on Platform 2 at Littleborough Train Station can see them.

Private Holt was born in Wardle in 1884 and in 1891 was living with his parents James and Margaret, his two brothers and sister in Addlington.

By 1901 the family had moved to Halifax Road, Smallbridge.

By 1911 Private Holt was married and living with his wife Florrire and new born son in Smallbridge and was employed as a Cotton Waste Spinner.

With the outbreak of the war and Private Holt being either a reservist or a regular soldier, his Battalion embarked on the S.S Saturnia on 22 August 1914, disembarking the next day at Boulogne.

On 13 October 1914, 30 year old Private 9339 Edward Holt 2nd Batallion Lancashire Fusiliers was killed in action in France. His body was not recovered.

His name was commemorated on Panel 4 at the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. His name is also recorded on the Littleborough Cenotaph and on the Greenhill Primitive Methodist memorial.

Private Holt’s commemoration will be followed by over 370 soldiers from Littleborough.