Son of Elizabeth Holden and the stepson of James Arthur Holden; husband of Adrianna Petronella Copley, of 16, Takoon Square, De Beers, Kimberley. Born in Thornaby on Tees. At the age of 18 1/2 on 23rd March 1909 he enlisted into the 3rd Reserve Battalion Yorkshire Regiment in Middlesbrough (Pte 7043) On the 23rd August 1909 after a period of training he was discharged from the Yorkshire Regiment as a consequence of having joined the 18th Hussars as a regular soldier he later transferred to the 10th Hussars. His address of next of kin father (James Holden and mother Elizabeth) is given as 65 Denmark Street, Middlesbrough. On the 4th February 1913, whilst with the 10th Hussars at Tempe South Africa, Private H/4625 Copley deserts from the army taking his kit with him. He is declared a deserter on the 24th February 1913. There is no information on his pension documents indicating that he was ever apprehended or arrested for desertion. Commemorated on Middlesbrough war memorial