Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William George Henry Bolland a shoe clicker, born 1862 in Chester, Ches., and his wife Ellen a hosiery mender, born 1867 in Hinckley, Leics. William George Henry was born in 1897 in Hinckley, Leics., he had one sibling, a brother Charles Alfred, born 1893 in Hinckley, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at 15, Wood Street, Hinckley, Leics. In April 1911 William was employed as a hosiery factory boy and was residing in the family home at 15, Wood Street, Hinckley, Leics., together with his parents and siblings, Charles, Cyril Gregory, born 1906 and Clare Ellen, born 1909, both siblings were born in Hinckley, Leics. In January 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL MEN IN THE CASUALTY LISTS” - The following local casualties are reported under various dates. All are Private’s except where otherwise shown. The town shown against each soldiers name is the home of his next-of-kin. The following casualties are included in the official lists issued for publication this afternoon. KILLED. LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Bolland, 40158 W. G. (Hinckley). The War Diary for today records. HOHENZOLLERN FRONT LINE SECTOR OF TRENCHES. At 11.00am the enemy fired 4 77mm shells about 50 yards in rear of 0.b.4. The trench mortars were also active mostly falling round junction of LINCOLN STREET and VIGO STREET. Our trench mortars replied effectively. Our Lewis guns were instrumental in dispersing several enemy working parties and from cries and noises which were heard it is evident that the enemy had several casualties. A hostile sniper opposite the head of LINCOLN STREET killed one of our sentries, and wounded another. The snipers post has been located and measures are being taken for the suppression of this sniper.