Albert Edward Holdstock was born in Luton in 1896.

In 1911 he is 15 years old & working as a manufacturer's assistant. He is living with his family at No 20 Stanley Street. His father Samuel is 43 & working as a labourer for a timber merchants, his mother Lizzie also 43, is a straw hat machinist & his younger brother Hedley is 13 and at school.

Albert enlisted into the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 22nd November 1915. He is described as 6ft 1 inch tall & is working in the straw trade. He was promoted to Corporal on 8th June 1916 then L/Sergeant a couple of months later on 26 August 1916.

On 16th March 1917 Albert was transferred to 25th Labour Company Royal West Surrey Regiment Depot, then 3 days later transferred to the 9th Northamptonshire Regiment where he was promoted to Sergeant.

On 16th June 1917 Albert found himself being transferred to the 22nd Labour group headquarters of the King's Royal Rifle Company & posted to France. His role for the duration of the war was Orderly Room Sergeant. Each battalion had an O R Sergeant who occupied a position of trust & responsibility with all the administration in the office. Albert was required to preserve strict secrecy regarding all communications coming in & out of headquarters.

On 22 February 1919 Albert was admitted to the field hospital with influenza. He was sent back to the UK on 31st March 1919 where he was admitted to Wharncliffe War Hospital in Sheffield.

Albert was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal on 4th May 1919. This medal was awarded for gallantry or for services in connection of war.

Albert survived the war & married Ethel L Brown in June 1922 in Luton.

Albert died in June 1967 in Luton aged 71.