| Regimental number | 7/967 |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Next of kin | Father, R Holyoake, Sandy Bay, Motueka |
| Rank on embarkation | Private |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, 37th Reinforcements, A Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 103 Maunganui on |
| Final rank | Private |
| Final unit | 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during operations near Le Quesnoy on the 26th October 1918. Rifleman Holycake was his Platoon Commander?s runner and during exploitation north of the Railway he brought back on two separate occasions messages from his platoon Commander which were of great importance. In doing so he had to pass along a stretch of open road and over a level crossing, which at the time was kept under heavy machine-gun fire and consistently harassed by the enemy artillery. He delivered his Messages and returned at once to his Commander. During the day he set a splendid example of bravery.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
| Family/military connections | Brothers: 24/1081 Rifleman Albert Edwin HOLYOAKE, 2nd Bn, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, died of wounds, 2 June 1916; 7/1745 Francis Henry HOLYOAKE; 43152 Trooper Walter HOLYOAKE, Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment, killed in action, 30 March 1918. |
| Sources | Nominal Rolls Vol. 4: Roll 82, p. 6 |