Ernest Alfred Hollister

Rank:

Sergeant

Regimental number:

10576

Unit at enlistment:

4th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Date of death:

June 18th, 1918

Cemetery:

Greenwood Cemetery, Brantford, Ontario

Commemorated at:

Ancient Order of Foresters, Freemason Reba Lodge No. 515

Birth country:

England

Birth county:

Gloucestershire

Birth city:

Bristol

Address at enlistment:

30 High Street, Brantford, Ontario

Next of kin address:

30 High Street, Brantford, Ontario

Trade or calling:

Clerk

Employer:

Brantford Willow Works

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Letters and documents

Cause of Death: Heart Disease
Location: Brantford, Ontario

BX June 19, 1918

HOLLISTER – In Brantford on Tuesday, June 18, Ernest Alfred Hollister, aged 37. Funeral from his late residence, 89 Dundas Street, on Friday, June 21 at 4 o'clock.

BX June 19, 1918

Ernest Alfred Hollister, age 37 years, died at his home, 89 Dundas Street, on Tuesday. The late Mr. Hollister was a member of the Great War Veterans’ Association, and in fact, was one of the original and most energetic workers. He was treasurer and later, because of his illness, he was appointed second vice-president. A little over a year ago he returned to Brantford, having been a 4th Battalion man. His widow and one child survive, as well as his mother, one brother, Frank, who is in the Royal Navy; another brother, Walter, and Ada and Maud, his two sisters.

Mr. Hollister was employed on the local customs staff, and was a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters; he belonged also to Reba Lodge, A.F. and A.M. The funeral will be held on Friday from his late home, 89 Dundas Street, at 4 o'clock and the veterans are arranging a military funeral.

BX September 3, 1914

Capt. Towers Now a Private – Former Commander of B. Company with Highlanders in the Ranks

The following interesting letter has been received from Sergeant E.A. Hollister, who is with the Dufferin Rifles at Valcartier.

38th Dufferin Rifles,
4th Battalion,
2nd Brigade, Valcartier, Que.

Dear Sir,

I have a few minutes to spare so I thought I would drop you a few lines. We are all feeling fine and we are having very nice weather. Our second batch of men arrived here on Sunday just as we finished dinner. You could see the welcome they received by the manner in which our cooks started to get them their dinner. They came down in very good time; in fact it was too quick for one of them. He got out to get a postcard at Quebec and the train bid him goodbye. But they all arrived safe. The regiment is busy here at Musketry. Just fancy 1,500 targets it is quite a site. I had the pleasure of seeing one of the late captains of B. Co. Capt Towers. He had shown his regret by joining as a private in the highland regiment from Western Canada. He looks fine and when told of fatigue duty, as you can tell he shows his pluck. We went under medical examination and it came out very satisfactory. Only six or seven failing to pass the strict doctor.

E.A. Hollister

BX March 13, 1917

S.Q.M.S. Hollister Returned Home – Arrived in Canada on Hospital Ship Essequibo – Is Optimistic

Cheerful and optimistic was S.Q.M.S. Ernest Alfred Hollister, who returned home from the front yesterday afternoon on the 5 o’clock T.H. and B. train, when interviewed by an Expositor representative this morning. S.Q.M.S. Hollister enlisted with a local detachment in the first battalion and had been attached to the C.A.P.C. in France ever since going overseas. However on account of a nervous breakdown he was invalided to England and stayed at Millbank, London England until sent to Canada to convalesce.

On the boat he came over on, the hospital ship Essequibo, the first hospital ship to arrive at Canada, he said there were 600 returned soldiers of which 155 were amputation cases, which were sent to Toronto for treatment.

Speaking of conditions in England he said that everywhere an optimistic spirit, based on facts prevailed. Nowhere did either civilians or soldiers entertain a shadow of pessimism. The reported food shortage, he said, did not seem to materially affect the business of restaurants.

Prior to enlistment he resided in Brantford for nine years, living on High Street and working at the Willow Works, Colborne Street. He is a widower, 36 years of age, with one child. He was formerly pay sergeant of the 38th Dufferin Rifles. On Thursday he will appear before the medical board. He reported that “Glad” Raymond, son of the postmaster is getting along fine.