: William Holbrow was born in Horsley in 1897, the son of George Holbrow and Ellen (nee Scales). His siblings were: Sarah Jane (1885), Emily Mabel (1886), Lizzie (1888), Alice (1891), George (1892), Charles (1894), John (1899) and Ralph (1903)
In the 1901 census the family were living in Rowden Cottage, Hazel Wood, Nailsworth and William's father was a carter on a farm. In the 1911 census his parents were at the same address, but William (aged 14) was a patient in Cashes Green Isolation Hospital, together with his brothers Charles (16) and John (11). Charles and William were both working as silk spinners. (The hospital had been built in 1902-4 as an isolation hospital for infectious diseases. It closed in 1993 and the building was converted into private housing).
William's service records have not survived so we do not know when he enlisted, but his medal record card indicates that he was in France from 25th March 1915. The 2nd Glosters had been in France since December 1914, and were involved in the battles at Ypres between March and May 1915.
: William was killed in action on 10th May 1915, aged 18, and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium. He is also remembered on the Woodchester Wayside Cross. His brother Charles was killed the following year.
: A blue memorial plaque has been fitted at Windsorash, Tetbury Lane, Nailsworth.
