Gordon Holland's Story.
Born 10 December 1884, at Knutsford, second son of Insurance agent, Frank and Mariquita Merriman, resident at Church house, London Road, Knutsford in 1891, by 1911 they had moved to Hollingford House, Knutsford. There were five children in the family, Frank Boyd, Janet, Gordon Holland, Marion and Claud Boyd. Gordon was educated at Winchester College and Woolwich, where he gained a reputation as a distinguished athlete at both establishments.
He was commissioned and gazetted in 1907 into the Royal Field Artillery; the 1911 census indicates he was serving in India. Gordon embarked with the British Expeditionary Force to France on 16 August 1914 as a Lieutenant with the 4th Brigade “J” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery; he later reverted through promotion to the 95th Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Gordon was killed in action, fighting at the second battle of Ypres, Wednesday, 12 May 1915, aged 30 years.