Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of William Henry Vernon Holland and Amy Louisa Holland nee Vernon of 'Piavella', Priarie, Victoria. Brother of George Holland MM who returned to Australia in 23 November 1918 having served with the 7th Battalion

Medals: 1914-15 Star, Britsh War Medal, Victory Medal

Was a member of the Marong Rifle Club until he left the district

Brother:

544 Sergeant George HOLLAND MM, 7th Bn, returned to Australia;

Cousins:

131 Pte Roy BURRELL MM, 31st Bn, died of disease, 30 April 1918;

2577 Pte Watson Henderson BRADDISH, 1st Division Train, returned to Australia, 12 April 1919;

280 Pte Albert James BRADDISH, 1st Machine Gun Bn, died of disease, 4 July 1919.

Vernon Holland was born in Bendigo, the son of William Henry Vernon & Amy Louisa Holland, of Piavella, Vic.   He was an Insurance Agent, employed by the Mutual Life and Citizens’ Assurance Company.    He had previous military service as a member of the Marong Rifle Club and was 23 years & 8 months old.   He was amongst the early volunteers for the Expeditionary Force, enlisting on 18.8.14.   The following day he left Bendigo for the Broadmeadows Camp.   He was allotted Service no. 788 and appointed to ‘G’ Company, 7th Battalion, where he became a Cook.   

The 7th Battalion left Broadmeadows Camp on 18 October, 1914, and embarked for service overseas on board HMAT ‘Hororata’.   Arriving in Egypt the battalion moved into camp at Mena, at the foot of the pyramids.   (6/12/14)    

In January, 1915, the Australian force was re-organized.   In the 7th Battalion ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies joined to form the new ‘D’ Company.      This meant that all the men from Northern Victoria were together in one Company.    After the re-organization Vernon Holland became a Cook for ‘D’ Company.  

The 7th Battalion was part of the force which landed at Anzac Cove on 25th April, 1915.   

In May, Lieut.-General Sir W.R. Birdwood, in command of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, was asked to provide part of the Australian force to assist in a British offensive at Cape Helles.    The 2nd Australian Brigade, which included the 7th Battalion, was one of two brigades provided.    The 7th Battalion left Anzac and disembarked at ‘V’ Beach, Cape Helles, on May 6th.  The battalion moved forward on May 8th in what was later known as the “2nd Battle of Krithia”  (8-11 May).   This battle achieved minimal gain and casualties were extremely high.   

Vernon Holland was KIA on 8/5/15.     His grave was unidentified and his name was recorded on the Helles Memorial.   

“The First Lot.   7th Battalion.   The first men of the Bendigo district to volunteer for service in the First World War.”: Larna Malone