Described as "an SAS hero" by a British tabloid newspaper, he reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during a raid to capture terror leaders in Basra and later died of his injuries at a nearby military hospital.
In early November, only weeks before his death and shortly before his squadron was due to return to the UK, Hollingsworth was leading a raid ahead of his team on an insurgent-occupied building in Basra when he was shot in the back of the neck.
The bullet missed his carotid artery by millimetres and he was sent to the UK for treatment, but returned to Iraq within days rather than taking time off to recover.
Hollingsworth was repatriated to a discreet funeral at Credenhill, and his widow was invited to a private meeting with the then Prime Minister Tony Blair.
[6] Defence Secretary Des Browne said: "The death of Sgt Hollingsworth is a terrible loss and my heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family, friends and comrades.