Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Early Years

William Corin Holland was born on the 1st August 1883, the son of Thomas Corin Holland and Kate Bishop (Adelaide 309/435).

Schooling

In 1895 William was in the Lower Third Form a Prince Alfred’s College, where in September 1898 he passed his Preliminary Exams. He joined the PAC Cadet Corp in July 1900 and was a cadet for three years.

In December 1902 William played in an Intercollegiate Cricket match for PAC versus St Peters and in the same month he passed his Senior Exams.

University

From 1903 to 1909 William was studying toward a Bachelor of Law at Adelaide University. He completed his Final Certificate in Law in 1909.

Sport

William played cricket for the Stow Ramblers in the East Torrens Association from 1903 to 1909. However, in the second half of the 1909/1910 season William played at least three games for the Adelaide University Club. These games were played in January and perhaps covered absences from team due to university holidays. William had five innings, 2 n.o., high score 38*, total runs 60, average 20. He was considered a “useful” batsman.

Family

On 21st November 1906 William married LuLu (Louisa Laughton Hurst) the daughter of Mr H.L. Hurst, at Stow Church, (now the Pilgrim United Church), Flinders Street, Adelaide.

William and LuLu had three children, LuLu Eileen born 1908, Laurence Corin born 1911 and Cecil Russell born May 1913. In 1911 William and his family were living at Dover Street, Malvern.

Both LuLu and William had a love of horses. Their names were frequently in the newspapers in 1912 and 1913, winning prizes in the pony tandem pairs with their chestnuts ‘Princess’ and ‘Dutchess’.

Career

William worked as a Solicitor for his father’s firm, Holland and Lathlean until at least 1912. At some stage William commenced carrying on business as a commission agent. In this capacity he ran into financial and legal problems which resulted in him coming before the Insolvency Courts between September 1915 and March 1916. William’s behaviour was described as dishonest and his financial difficulties stemmed from gambling and share trading. As a result, William was jailed for 18 months.

World War I

On the 28th February 1917 William enlisted as a Private in the 27th Battalion, 20th Reinforcements.

William was described as 33½ years of age, 5’9”, 126 lbs of medium complexion with hazel eyes and dark hair. His next of kin was his wife, Louisa and their address was 32 North East Road, Medindie. William embarked on the 30 October 1917 from Melbourne. He served with the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital Staff in the UK. He suffered from appendicitis in January 1918. William returned to Australia as medically unfit on 6 Feb 1919. William was discharged from the AIF on 22nd Feb 1919 and joined the Australian Army Pay Corps on home service on the 6th March 1919. He was discharged from the AAPC on 21st August 1920.

William’s three brothers also served in WWI. George Harold (1891) in the AIF and AFC, Frank Bishop (1895) served at Gallipoli and in France where he died as a result of wounds on 22 August 1916 and Thomas Lancelot (1899) who joined up in May 1918 but had not left Australia when the hostilities ceased on 11 November 1918.

Post WWI

After finishing his war service William joined the Real Estate firm, Alfred C. Catt, Son, & Co. at their Pirie Street Office. In July 1922 William was elected a Councillor for the Prospect Council a position he held until he retired from the role in May 1928.

From the 14th August 1922 William was the manager of Alfred C. Catt, Son, & Co’s new office on the corner of Rose Street and Prospect Road, Prospect. William played tennis at the Prospect Gardens Club (1923) and bowls (1924). In December 1924 William and LuLu’s eldest son, Laurence Corin, won a scholarship to Prince Alfred’s College, at that time the family was living at Burwood Avenue, Nailsworth. In 1927 William endowed a Form Prize to PAC in memory of his brother who fell during the War.

In the 1920’s William was actively involved in the Prospect Horses-In-Action Society, He was the Secretary for the society for a number of year, showed his harness pony and acted as clerk of the scales and in other stewardship roles at shows.

In 1939, William was unfortunately involved in a serious motor vehicle accident in which he knocked down a pedestrian crossing O’Connell St, North Adelaide.

After having previously been a highly active Prospect councillor, he maintained an interest in their affairs. In 1939 he was one of several citizens who opposed the building of a new City Hall.

World War II

William enlisted for home service on 30 March 1942, Adelaide, SA. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 2nd (Northern Adelaide) Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps. He served as a Liaison Officer for the RSL. He served until 1944.

Note: His WWII record (SN S68314) is now open access
recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6415794
however some details on Page 3 of the Service Record are incorrect and relate to Allan Francis Holland, School Teacher and husband of Alma Kathleen W Holland.

Later Life

William’s wife LuLu died at home at 21 Burwood Avenue, Nailsworth on 7th January 1949. William died on the 9th November 1953, aged 70 years and is buried at the North Road Cemetery.

Authors: EE (Beth) Filmer & Rob O'Shannassy

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project (in the period 2015-2019) please see the document attached.