Holbech William Hugh, of Farnborough Hall, co. Warwick, Lieut, 2nd Battn, Scots Guards, elder son of the late Lieut.-Col, Walter Henry Holbech,Kings Royal Rifles and one of H.M,’s Hon. Corps of Gentlemen at Arms (who served in Red River Expedition, 1870, was Brigade Major, Egyptian Campaign, 1882, and was mentioned in Despatches and died v.p. 6th March 1901) by his wife Mary Caroline (The Grange, Farnborough, Banbury) widow of Lieut.-Col. Sir George Clay, 3rd Bart., and 4th dau. of Sir John Walrond Walrond, 1st Bart.; b Murray Bay, Canada, 18th August 1882; educ. Eton and Sandhurst; suc. his grandfather in family property, 20 March 1901; gazetted 2nd Lieut., 2nd Scots Guards, 3rd April, 1902, and promoted Lieut. 7March 1904; retired 20 February 1907; and passed into the Reserve of Officers; joined the 3rd Scots Guards on the outbreak of war in August 1914, transferred to his old Battn.; the 2nd, 2nd Oct., and went to France with it as part of the Seventh division two days later; reached the firing line on the 18th, took part in the first Battle of Ypres; was severely wounded at Kruseid on the night of 25th, and died in the Herbert Hospital, Woolwich 1st November 1914. unm. Col. Bolton wrote:” From the time Willie joined us at Southampton until he was mortally wounded, he was one of the most cheery, unselfish, capable and keenest of officers in my Battn. we all deplore his loss more than I can say. I look back on both him and Cottrell Dormer as two of the best officers in every way.” Major Cator wrote: “He defended his trench all night t Kruseid when the Germans got through our line. He and Capt. Payntor had the Germans all around them and defended their trenches most gallantly-I only wish I could tell you more; in him we have lost a gallant soldier and a great friend.”

De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour 1914-1919