Lancelot Ernest Holland

Vice-Admiral Lancelot Ernest Holland, C.B., Royal Navy (13 September, 1887 – 24 May, 1941) was an officer in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

His first ship was the destroyer Eclipse on the China Station in late 1903. He transferred to the second class battleship Centurion before the end of the year and remained in her until she paid off on 25 August, 1905.

Holland next served for sixteen months in Hampshire, ending in January, 1907 when he underwent examinations.

Holland was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 15 November, 1907.

Holland was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 15 November, 1915.

Holland was appointed to H.M.S. Hindustan to serve as her gunnery lieutenant-commander in August, 1913.

Great War

Holland remained as gunnery officer in Hindustan until 7 April, 1916. He then served in the Experimental Department at H.M.S. Excellent, being given command of her tender, Kite on 17 May, 1916.

Holland continued with his experimental duties until being appointed as Gunnery Officer in Royal Oak on 29 May, 1918.

Interbellum

Holland held the gunnery duties in Royal Oak until 1n August, 1920, being promoted to the rank of Commander on 31 December, 1919.

Holland was promoted to the rank of Captain on 30 June, 1926.

Holland was promoted to the rank of Rear-Admiral on 11 January, 1938.

World War II

Being superseded as second in command of Third Battle Squadron by Stuart Sumner Bonham-Carter at the turn of the year, Holland was appointed to President, additional, to act as Adviser on Home Operations on 4 January, 1940. He was next appointed to Rodney, additional, as Chief of Staff to Commander in Chief, Home Fleet King on 10 June, 1940. Holland was re-appointed in this capacity upon his promotion to the rank of Vice-Admiral on 1 August, 1940.

Holland was killed when H.M.S. Hood blew up on 24 May, 1941 in action against the battleship Bismarck. He was posthumously mentioned in despatches "for mastery and skill in action against the German battleship Bismarck."

See Also

• "Vice-Admiral L. E. Holland" (Obituaries). The Times. Saturday, 31 May, 1941. Issue 48940, col E, pg. 6.
• Wikipedia
• Service Records

Naval Appointments
Preceded by Reginald F. P. Maton	Captain of H.M.S. Kite 17 May, 1916 – 29 May, 1918	Succeeded by Geoffrey D. Taylor
Preceded by St. Aubyn B. Wake	Fleet Gunnery Officer, Mediterranean Fleet 1 Jul, 1922 – late 1924	Succeeded by Bruce A. Fraser
Preceded by Francis T. B. Tower	Captain of H.M.S. Vindictive 16 May, 1929 – 31 Dec, 1929	Succeeded by Frederick M. C. Curtis
Preceded by Aubrey Lambert	Captain of H.M.S. Hawkins 31 Dec, 1929 – 28 May, 1931	Succeeded by Charles E. Morgan
Preceded by Stephen D. Tillard	Captain of H.M.S. Revenge 16 Oct, 1934 – 30 Dec, 1935	Succeeded by Cecil C. A. Allen
Preceded by William K. D. Dowding	Captain of H.M.S. Victory 7 Nov, 1935	Succeeded by William E. C. Tait
Preceded by Geoffrey Layton	Commodore-in-Command, Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth early 1936[Inference] – 11 Aug, 1937[Inference]	Succeeded by William E. C. Tait
Preceded by Charles J. C. Little	Rear-Admiral, Second-in-Command, Second Battle Squadron 10 Jan, 1939 – 25 Aug, 1939	Succeeded by Henry E. C. Blagrove
Preceded by Sir Roger R. C. Backhouse	Rear-Admiral, Second-in-Command, Third Battle Squadron 25 Aug, 1939 – 29 Dec, 1939	Succeeded by Stuart S. Bonham-Carter
Preceded by William J. Whitworth as Rear-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron	Vice-Admiral Commanding Battle Cruiser Squadron 7 May, 1941 – 24 May, 1941	Succeeded by Command Abolished