Obituary Derek Oliver Hollands
The following words were provided by Derek's brother, John.
On February 10th the death occurred of Derek Oliver Hollands at the age of 95. Derek was the oldest of several of his family to attend Blundell's, all of them Old House boys. Derek had a distinguished school career, rising to a school monitor and a very popular head of house. He excelled at rugby and was awarded his 1st XV colours. He was among the last to pass the old Higher School Certificate Exam.
On leaving Blundell's, and after a spell as a national service soldier, Derek joined his father in running a battery manufacturing business and he stuck with this for the bulk of his working life. Early in his career Derek married Joy, who now succeeds him. They raised three sons which in turn, over the years, gave rise to numerous grandchildren. The family battery business was eventually sold out to French conglomerate CGE who made Tudor Batteries. Derek did not stay with them long but instead ran a bicycle Shop in Alton which he found much more to his liking, especially when he made record sales of Choppers.
Derek was essentially a 'Family Man' and all through his married life he was either cycling, motoring, sailing, rambling and above all travelling, sharing a great soft spot with Joy for the Austrian Alps which they rarely missed visiting annually.
Derek's brother Geoff died in March 2015.