The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 44 of Cobalt, Ontario, working with the Town of Cobalt,
will be holding a dedication of the downtown park and naming it Major Holland V. C. Park
to honour the bravery and courage of Major Holland.
Then a Sergeant with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Holland earned his Victoria Cross when,
on November 7, 1900 at Leliefontein, South Africa, he detached the barrel of his Colt
machine gun from the carriage and took it to safety to avoid its capture by the Boers.
Major Holland resided throughout Northern Ontario following his discharge from the
Canadian Military Services at the end of World War 1, and was postmaster in Cobalt for a
number of years until his death here in 1948.
This year, 2008, being the 125th anniversary of his regiment, The Royal Canadian Dragoons,
the 130th anniversary of his birth and the 60th year since his death, it is fitting that
this honour be bestowed to his memory.
The event will take place in Cobalt, Ontario on June 14, 2008. A parade will commence at
1:00 p.m. with the ceremony at 2:00 p.m.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Marg Harrison at 705-679-5445 or email
to mikemarg(a)ntl.sympatico.ca