Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Company Sergeant Major S. A. Holliday, Royal Marine Artillery, Royal Marine Brigade, who was interned in Holland after the fall of Antwerp, October 1914, and was undoubtedly one of the characters of H.M.S. ‘Timbertown’

China 1900, no clasp (S. A. Holliday, Sergt. R.M.A., H.M.S. Goliath.); 1914 Star, with clasp (R.M.A. 3722. Col. Sergt. S. A. Holliday, R.M. Brigade.); British War and Victory Medals (R.M.A. 3722 C.S.M. S. A. Holliday.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (S. A. Holliday, Sergt. No. 3722 R.M.A.) mounted for wear, remnants of adhesive to reverses, contact marks overall, generally nearly very fine or better (5) £500-£700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of 1914 Stars to the Royal Naval Division.

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Stanley Albert Holliday was born in London in January 1871. He enlisted in the Royal Marine Artillery in January 1889, and was posted to ‘L’ Company in May of the same year. Holliday advanced to Corporal in March 1896, and to Sergeant in May 1898. He was posted for service with H.M.S. Goliath on the China Station in March 1900 (awarded his L.S. & G.C. in March 1904). Holliday subsequently served as Colour Sergeant at R.M.A. Headquarters, Eastney from April 1907.

Holliday was discharged after 21 years service in January 1910, and transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve. He was mobilised in August 1914 and embarked with the Royal Marine Brigade to defend Antwerp where, in early October, having belatedly received the order to withdraw, he was one of many forced to take refuge in neutral Holland in order to prevent unnecessary casualties or capture by the enemy. Holliday was interned under International Law on 9 October 1914 and housed in barracks in Groningen where, other than periods of leave from Holland he was so detained for the duration of the war. He received the following mention (as well as a sketch of him in uniform) in No. 22 The Camp Magazine, January 1917:

‘Although, comparatively speaking, we are only a small community, made up of the odds and ends of practically every trade and profession of the world, our institutions have yet taken a concrete form that redounds in a most creditable manner to the organising ability of those who are at the helm.

In the domestic realm of Timbertown no figure stands out with greater popularity than that of Col. Sgt. Holliday, R.M.A., the Commander in Chief of the Culinary Department. His gentle persuasive address, invariable prefixed with ‘my friend’, always takes one off one’s guard, putting a curb on the most unruly tongues and softening the most diabolical expressions.

With a smile and a pleasant word, which silences all ‘taps’ and protests, he negotiates his thankless job with a candour and fairness which would do honour to a born diplomat, while his knowledge of ‘Mrs Beeton’ is peculiarly adapted to present circumstances.

We have no wish to embarrass this friend of ours who so carefully and conscientiously conducts the intricate duties of apportioning our rations, but we have much to thank him for, and in tendering this small appreciation we trust he will accept it in the same spirit of affection in which it is proffered.’

Holliday was eventually repatriated in November 1918, and promoted Company Sergeant Major in February 1919. He was demobilised in April 1919, aged 48, having served three Monarchs and his country for 26 years. Holliday died in Bournemouth in August 1960.

Sold with copied research.