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Location
In Shanklin Cemetery, Shanklin, Isle of Wight Description Grave location P 3713. |
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Headstone
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Inscription
561153 SERGEANT W F G HOLLISTER OBSERVER ROYAL AIR FORCE 20TH JUNE 1940 AGE 29 + GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS Further Information Son of William and Florence Hollister. Born : 1911 (Birth registered in Swindon Registration District, Jun qtr 1911). Married : 3 Sep 1938, Alice Winifred Windust, at St Saviour's Church, Shanklin, Isle of Wight. One son, John H Hollister (Birth registered Durham S E Registration District) in 1939. Service Information : Sergeant (Observer) 561153 William Frederick Hollister, 144 Sqn., Royal Air Force. Died : 20 June 1940 aged 29. (Death registered in Fakenham, Norfolk, Registration District). It is not known in what circumstances he died. According to one source, [http://www.epibreren.com/ww2/raf/144_squadron.html] Sgt Hollister may have been a crew member of Hampden P1164, 144 Sqn, which overshot base, on return from ops, 11th June 1940, and went through a boundary hedge. CWGC record ...
Isle of Wight Chronicle
27 June 1940 The first active service victim of the present war to be buried in the Shanklin Cemetery, Sgt William Frederick Hollister, RAF, of Stockton-on-Tees, son-in-law of Henry Windust of the Shanklin Club House, Osborne Road, was laid to rest on Tuesday afternoon. Sgt Hollister, who was killed in action, was married to Miss Alice Windust, youngest daughter of Mr Windust and the late Mrs Windust at St Saviour's Church, Shanklin on Sept 3rd 1938, and there is one child. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack for the funeral service held at St Saviour's. The chief mourners were Mrs William Frederick George Hollister, widow, Mr Windust, father-in-law, Miss V A Windust, sister-in-law , Mrs Meader, Mr Richardson, Mrs Burnand and Miss K Feltham and friends.
ISLE OF WIGHT MERCURY
Friday, July 5, 1940 Page 2 FORMER VENTNOR RESIDENT'S BEREAVEMENT. - Deep sympathy will be felt by many local residents with Mrs. Hollister, better known here as Miss Alice Windust, in the sad loss she has sustained by the death, from wounds received on active service, of her husband, Sergt. W.F.G. Hollister, R.A.F., of Stockton-on-Tees. Sergt. Hollister was married to Miss Windust, youngest daughter of Mr. Harry Windust, of the Shanklin Club House, on September 3rd, 1938, and there is one child, a nine month's old son. The deceased was the first active service victim of the present war to be buried in the Shanklin Cemetery. The funeral took place on Tuesday week, the first part of the service being held at St. Saviour's Church. The Vicar (Rev. A.R. James) officiated. The chief mourners were Mrs. W.F.G. Hollister (widow), Mr. H. Windust (father-in-law), Miss V.A. Windust (sister-in-law), Mrs. Meader, Mr. R. Richardson, Mrs. J. Burndred and Miss K. Feltham (friends). The coffin was draped with the Union Jack, and the floral tributes included a wreath from the officers and men of the deceased's squadron. Mrs. Hollister, it will be remembered, was for several years in the employ of Mr. G.B. Wheeler in Pier Street. 
National Probate Calendar 1940 Commemorated on this Memorial : Shanklin War Memorial Links : 144 Sqn., Royal Air Force Acknowledgments : Janet Griffin for newspaper research. |
Memorials & Monuments
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