HOLDEN, John

John Holden was the son of Mr H. Holden of 28 Islington Street, Halesowen. He enlisted in the Worcesters and was sent to the 10th (Service) Battalion. It had seen long service in the 1916 Battle of the Somme and in the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. Early in 1918 it was in Artois to face the anticipated German Spring offensive and situated in reserve behind the forward lines at Beaumetz. The most intense German barrage of the whole war marked the prelude to an overwhelming attack on the 21st March and, in spite of orders for counter-attacks, the Worcesters were driven back with great loss. Private John Holden was among those killed in action in the first stage of the retreat. He is buried in Beaumetz Crossroads Cemetery (B 32) and commemorated on the Halesowen Memorial.