-H.M.S. Hood Crew Information-
H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour
Memorials to Men Lost in the sinking

In Remembrance of
Lancelot Ernest Holland

Lancelot Holland was born on 13th September 1887 to Tom and of Helen Holland. Tom was a director of the Hunt & Edmunds brewery in Banbury. The family lived at The Holt, Middleton Cheney at the time of Lancelot's birth, later moving to Eydon Hall. Lancelot had five brothers, Cecil, Aubrey, Gerald, Ernest and Tom, plus one sister, Enid. Lancelot Holland entered the Navy as a cadet on 15th May 1902. Upon entry, he was educated at H.M.S. Britannia. He later served in China before specialising as a gunnery officer.

He was promoted to Captain on 30th June 1926. From May 1929 to February 1931 he served as Flag Captain of the cruiser H.M.S. Hawkins and Chief Staff Officer to Rear-Admiral Commanding 2nd Cruiser Squadron. In May 1931, he was assigned as the Head of the British Naval Mission to Greece. He held this post until September of 1932. For his service in Greece he was made a Commander of the Order of the Redeemer.

Holland's next major assignment was as Flag Captain of the battleship H.M.S. Revenge and Chief Staff Officer to Vice-Admiral Charles Forbes. He served in this capacity from July 1934 to July 1935. He was promoted to Commodore in February 1936. He subsequently served as the Commanding Officer of H.M.S. Victory - Royal Navy Barracks, Portsmouth. He held this position until February 1937. During the last seven months of this time period, he also served as the Naval ADC to the King. Upon leaving this position, he served as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff.

Holland was promoted to Rear-Admiral and took command of the 2nd Battle Squadron in January 1938. He commanded the squadron from the battleship H.M.S. Resolution until August 1939. During this timeframe, he received his C.B. Following this he took a new position as the Admiralty's representative to the Air Ministry. He held this post until mid 1940.

In June 1940, Holland was appointed as the Chief of Staff, Home Fleet ( again under Admiral Sir Charles Forbes). He served in H.M.S. Rodney and then in H.M.S. Nelson. He was promoted to Vice-Admiral in August 1940.

In November 1940, Holland was appointed Vice-Admiral Commanding, Eighteenth Cruiser Squadron. Commanding from H.M.S. Manchester, he participated in Operation "Collar" and the Battle of Spartivento. He remained in this position until May 1941.

His final assignment was as the Vice-Admiral Commanding the Battle Cruiser Squadron and Second in Command of the Home Fleet in May 1941. He served in this capacity from aboard the battle cruiser H.M.S. Hood. VADM Holland was lost at his post in the Compass Platform during the sinking of Hood on the morning of 24th May 1941. He was subsequently Mentioned in Despatches. He was 53 years old at the time of his loss.

He was the husband of Phyllis Holland, of Mayfair, London. He and Phyllis had one child, a son named John. Although young, John was an exceptionally gifted and prolific painter and poet. Sadly, he died of polio whilst travelling abroad in 1936. He was just 18 years old. Understandably, the death affected the Hollands very deeply. The Hollands donated a porch in remembrance of John, to the Church of St John the Baptist in Boldre, New Forest, Hampshire. They also published a book of John's poems and paintings.

Since his death, Holland has occasionally been criticised for his handling of Hood during her final battle. Most of the criticism is unfair and based upon a great deal of hindsight. When one considers what he knew at that time, as well as the situation that unfolded before him, it is clear that VADM Holland's battle plan was methodically and logically executed. The results should have been different, but fate is not always predictable nor is it kind. You can read an excellent review of VADM Holland's tactics by clicking here.

Additional Photos

Three photos of Lancelot Holland from the 1930s.

A wartime painting by his friend Douglas Wales-Smith

Lancelot Holland's signature

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H.M.S. Excellent Roll of Honour, Whale Island, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

No photographs are available of this memorial

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Hood Chapel, Church of St. John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire, England

Photos of the memorial

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Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Southsea, Hampshire, England

Photos of the memorial



The part of the memorial in which the Hood casualty names can be found.
(Panels 45 to 61)





Lancelot's name is in Column 1 of Panel 45.





Detail of Lancelot's name.

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