Raymond Reginald Holburn (incorrectly spelt as Holborn on some contemporary records), was born at West Hartlepool in October 1896, the son of Thomas Holburn, born in Swainby, a Diary farmer, and his wife Elizabeth, of Barnham, Norfolk. In 1901 they were residing at Hart Road, West Hartlepool.
Raymond was the youngest of three children. He had two elder sisters. Mable the eldest, and Annie who was one year younger.
His father was a life long supporter of the Hart Road Methodist Church and was Treasurer and Trustee for over 40 years.
Raymond was educated at the Jesmond Road Senior School, then Yarm Grammar School, located at Green Lane, Yarm. In 1911 the family were residing at 14 Park Square, West Hartlepool.
Raymond enlisted in the Northumberland Hussars at Newcastle in 1914. His original service number allocated to him was 170876.
In accordance with the Territorial and Reserve Forces act of 1907, the Territorial Force was intended to be a home defence force for service during wartime and members could not be compelled to serve outside the country. However, many members volunteered for Imperial Service. Therefore, TF units were split in August and September 1914 into 1st line (liable for overseas service) and 2nd Line (home service for those unable or unwilling to serve overseas).
In the 1917 renumbering of the Territorials, the Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry issued numbers from the block 270001-275000. Corps of Hussars. Hence the new service number of 270876 allocated to Raymond.
The 9th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, was raised at Newcastle in September 1914 as a Kitchener Battalion. After training they proceeded to France in July 1915 with 52nd Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division, their first role being to hold front lines in the southern area of the Ypres salient. In 1916 they were involved in fighting at The Bluff in spring and moved south in early summer seeing action at the Battle of Albert and Delville Wood on The Somme. In 1917 they took part in the the Arras Offensive then in August 1917 transferred to 103rd Brigade, 34th Division, seeing action at Broenbeek in The Third Battles of Ypres in October. Having absorbed the 2/1st Northumberland Yeomanry and became the 9th (Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry) Battalion in September. In 1918 they saw action on The Somme and suffered heavy losses in The Battles of the Lys. The division was re-organised and on the 26th of May they transferred to 183rd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division, for the Final Advance in Picardy.
Raymond was now in the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, and was allocated the service number 235833. Raymond Holburn died from his wounds at the St Omer General Hospital, on the 22nd October 1917. He was unmarried.
The War Diary at the time reports shelling and up to 20 men were wounded over the previous 3 days so it is imprecise to give an actual date of his wounding.
In the Northern Daily Mail Monday, 29/10/1917, is a report stating:-
Holburn. - Trooper Raymond [Reginald] Holburn, Northumberland Hussars died in Hospital in France. October 22nd 1917, aged 21, dearly-beloved and only son of Thomas and Elizabeth Holburn, 14 Park Square, West Hartlepool. Thy will be done.
He is remembered at Hartlepool on H115.24, H115.30, at West Hartepool W111.18, W111.32, W111.54, W111.86 page 19, and W111.105 and at Yarm on Y1.07
