More about Algernon Holland

Captain Algernon Holland, 2nd Air Mechanic Francis Edward Wilson, 237878 and 2nd Air Mechanic Eli Marriott, 211911 were all killed and 2nd Lt F.I Atkins injured when their Curtiss H16 “Large America” Serial No N4070 Flying Boat struck a ships mast on the River Tay, crashed and burst into flames.

Algernon formerly served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment.

Algernon Holland   Captain   Royal Air Force

FLYING ACCIDENT.

A disastrous flying accident occurred on the East Coast of Scotland on Saturday night, as the result of which three members of the Royal Air Force lost their lives, and a fourth was removed to hospital.  The victims of the unfortunate occurrence were :^__Captain Algernon Holland, the pilot; A.M. Ely Marriott, wireless telegraphist; and A.M. Francis E. Wilson, engineer.  Lieutenant Atkins, the observer, is in hospital suffering from burns to the face and shock.  The widow and child of Captain Holland are at present residing in Broughty Ferry.

Shortly after six o’clock a machine while flying low was seen to fall in flames, while the noise of an explosion was heard in the vicinity.  The observer was seated some distance away from the point where the fire originated, and he either freed himself or was thrown into the water.  He was speedily rescued.  As a result of the mishap a fire was occasioned on board a steamer, and the Fire Brigade was summoned.  A considerable amount of damage was done.

Broughty Ferry Guide 27th September 1918

His brother Charles M.C. was a Captain in the Royal Flying Corps and was accidentally killed in a flying accident 25.01.1918.

Algernon Holland was the son of Mr Arthur and Mrs Amy Holland of Horsham, Sussex and was married to Mrs Helen Ruth Holland of Quinta Rannock, San Ferriemdo, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He joined the Royal Naval Air Service as a Probationary Flight Sub Lieutenant in July 1916 and completed initial training at the Crystal Palace in Kent. Flying training took place at Chingford and Cranwell. In April 1917 he began training as a Seaplane pilot and was appointed to Dundee Stannergate Seaplane base in October. He died in a seaplane crash and explosion after the plane he was piloting hit the mast of a ship on Eastern Wharf, Dundee. He is buried in the Eastern Necropolis, Dundee, Grave Reference LL 5 616. Air Mechanic 2nd Class Eli Marriot and Air Mechanic 2nd Class Francis E Wilson also killed. Observer Flight Lieutenant Atkins survived the crash.