Ernest James Holdup was born in Whitchurch in Hampshire in 1894, the son of Walter Holdup and Amelia Malins.

In the 1901 census the family are living in Whitchurch and Walter is a Baker and Confectioner.

By the time of the 1911 census Walter is a widower and living alone at Malthouse Cottages in Hook, near Basingstoke - still working as a Baker and Confectioner. In the 1911 census Ernest is following in his father's footsteps and is living near Farnham, living and working as an assistant with Arthur Wilkinson a Master Baker at the Runfold Bakery.

Ernest was a trombonist with and treasurer of the Badshot Lea Brass Band.

Ernest died on the 22nd September 1917 and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. He is also remembered on a memorial in St. Nicholas Church, Newnham, near Hook in Hampshire and on the war memorial in Hook.