Vice-Admiral Lancelot Ernest Holland, CB (13 September 1887 – 24 May 1941) was a Royal Navy officer who commanded the British force in the Battle of the Denmark Strait in May 1941 against the German battleship Bismarck.

He was promoted to vice-admiral, backdated to August 1940,[1] after commanding Cruiser Force H during the Battle of Cape Spartivento on 27 November.

In May 1941, the new German battleship Bismarck attempted to break out into the North Atlantic, accompanied by the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen.

On 22 May, just after midnight, Electra, Achates, Antelope, Anthony, Echo, and Icarus, escorting the Hood and Prince Of Wales, sailed to cover the northern approaches.

In the ensuing Battle of the Denmark Strait the Hood suffered a catastrophic magazine explosion at 06:01 that broke the ship in half; the admiral and all but three of the crew of 1,418 were lost.

[2] One of the survivors, Ted Briggs, later stated he last saw Holland sitting in his admiral's chair, in utter dejection, making no attempt to escape from the sinking wreck.

[3][page needed] Prince of Wales made her escape with some damage, including a hit on her bridge which killed many of her officers.

One of the salvos from Prince of Wales damaged Bismarck's fuel tanks, and prompted her to make for occupied France.

Holland and his family attended the Anglican parish Church of St John the Baptist at Boldre in the New Forest, Hampshire.