Despite being a large contributor to the raising funds during the First World War, in early 1917 Holyoak moved in the Legislative Council to exclude German merchants from the colony for ten years, mandated by the Chamber of Commerce.

[5] In 1919, he and Henry Pollock formed the Constitutional Reform Association of Hong Kong to demand London for a further representation in the colonial legislature.

He was also a Freemason and was appointed the District Grand Master of English Freemasonry in Hong Kong and South China by the Duke of Connaught.

[2] The purpose of the trip of mainly reporting to L. S. Amery, the Secretary of State for the Colonies on Chinese political and commercial issues.

[6] There was also a memorial services held at St. John's Cathedral on 31 May, attended by many leading figures in the colony, including Governor Cecil Clementi.