Frederick William Holbourn (16 July 1896 – 1967) was a totally disabled war pensioner who worked to achieve justice for war pensioners in the United Kingdom in the years following World War I.
Holbourn was educated at Gravesend Elementary School, married Jennie Ann Jefferson, and had one son, Jack Holbourn.
He was also the Hon. Secretary to the Benevolent Advisory Committee, 1925~28; Voluntary War Pensions worker attached to Medway Boroughs Pensions Committee 1925~33; a member of Medway Boroughs Pensions Committee, 1929/30; Chairman, of the British Legion employment Committee; and secretary to the British Legion War Orphans; Branch Assistant Sec., 1920~23 and 1931; Branch Treasurer 1931/32; British Legion and United Services Fund Benevolent Committee, and Secretary to the British Legion Turf Cricket Club 1928/29.
He went on to assist in the founding of the Tuberculosis Aftercare Committee; and became Hon. Sec. of Groups 10 and 9 of the British Legion; Honorary Secretary for the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association for Gravesend; and delegate to Kent Conferences of the British Legion.
He died in 1967 in hospital in Gravesend, having lived at Oak Road for much of his life.
NOTE to editors citation: FREDERICK WILLIAM CLIFTON HOLBOURN all data from: ‘The Kent County Year Book’ for 1934/5 :Goalkeeper : 'Gravesend Hotspur FC' in 1919b 16th July 1896 Northfleet 2 Fiveash Cottages Northfleet d March 1968 (Dartford)
Holbourn, Frederick William.: ‘The Kent County Year Book’ for 1934/5 :‘Totally disabled War pensioner; born July 16th 1896 educated at Gravesend Elementary School; Wed; Jennie Ann ; daughter of Captain R.D. Jefferson, (R.E, of 111 Milton Road, Gravesend); they raised one son who was Jack Holbourn.
Before the war Frederick played football for ‘Perry Street Wednesday’ and ‘Gravesend Wednesday Invicta’, and was Honourable Secretary to the latter 1913/14/15; he joined the army in 1915, served in France and Belgium with the 10th R.W.K. Regiment until he was totally disabled in 1918 with the loss of both legs and a fractured right arm; On his return he became Hon. Secretary to the Returned Prisoners of War FC 1918/19 and formed ‘Gravesend Hotspur FC’ in 1919, and Hon. Sec. 1919/20, when they won several trophies; (‘The Gravesend Hospital Cup’; The Gravesend League Division I, and the ‘Hawley Victory Cup’). The line up consisting of; (Trainer; L Gauge), L. Ives, A. Ring, J. Donovan, (Secretary, Frederick Holbourn), (President G. Paterson), E. Pridmore, R. Hubbard, (Captain W. Ives), G. Wiltshire, V. Pressley, F. Waghorn, C. Ridley, H. Stone, and D. Hubbard.~ 1919/20.)He joined the management committee of the Borough league in 1919/20; and also became Vice Chairman of ‘Gravesend Rovers FC.’ for 1921/23, he also served on the Management Committee Services Rendered Club and Discharged Soldiers and Sailors Association 1918/21, and Sports Sec. From 1921~32 he served on the Sports, Finance and Ways and Means Committee’s; British Legion Relief Fund Committee from 1921~29; The United Services Fund rep. 1925~32; Vice Chairman of British Legion 1926, Chairman. British Legion Relief Fund 1924~26, Hon. Sec. 1926/7; Vice Chrmn. 1922/3 ; member of the Poppy Day Committee 1924/32; and Chrmn. 1924~26 Chrmn. St. Dunstan's Flag Day, 1924/5.He was also the Hon. Secretary to the Benevolent Advisory Committee, 1925/28 Voluntary War Pensions worker attached to Medway Boroughs Pensions Committee 1925~33; a member of Medway Boroughs Pensions Committee, 1929/30; Chairman, of the British Legion employment Committee; and secretary to the British Legion War Orphans; Branch Assistant Sec., 1920~23 and 1931; Branch Treasurer 1931/32; British Legion and United Services Fund Benevolent Committee, and Secretary to the British Legion Turf Cricket Club 1928/29; He went on to assist in the founding of the Tuberculosis Aftercare Committee; and became Hon. Sec. British Legion, groups 10 and 9; Honorary Secretary for the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen’s Families Association for Gravesend ; and delegate to Kent Conferences of British Legion.’What time he had for Hobbies including; gardening; sports; football, cricket and billiards, he enjoyed from his home address of 48 Portland Avenue, Gravesend.