Oldest townsman 

Ninety-six years!   Mr William Holley of Kimber’s Almshouses attains this great age today. 

He is a wonderful old man and does not look so old as he is. He needed no reminder that his 96th birthday was fast approaching for naturally this is the day of the year to him. 

 He married at an early age, Miss Caroline Fortune, and smilingly remarked that it was a ‘fortunate’ choice for his wife bore him 14 children and brought him much happiness.

His next situation was as groom to a retired Army officer, and later he was in the service of Captain Warren of Calne as groom and coachman for four and a half years.

 For twenty years he drove a Chequer’s cab.

 Since his wife died 14 years ago, at the age of 82, he has been living by himself, but at Christmas he spent a couple of days with his daughter.

 “Eat well, sleep well, no pain, thank God!” is a familiar rejoinder when asked how he is.

  Mr Holley who is regarded with affection by a large number of descendants for besides 14 children, he has had 48 grandchildren, two of whom were killed in the war, and 30 great grandchildren. 

Newbury weekly news, January 10, 1924

Newbury Weekly News  - Local History, January 11th, 2024

P.S.  There are no HOLLEYs on the West Berkshire War Memorials website.

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