Holland, Ernest John
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Ernest John |
Surname | Holland |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | DFM |
Date of Death | 13-04-1941 |
Next of Kin | Son of Ernest and Ellen Holland, of Birmingham. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington IC |
Serial Number | T2897 |
Markings | OJ-O |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | France |
Burial/Memorial Place | St. Sever-Calvados Communal Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Coll. grave 2-6. |
Epitaph | A HAPPY SOUL, HEART OF GOLD, NO DEARER SON THIS WORLD COULD HOLD. GOD BLESS HIM |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 183 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 751976 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 149 (East India) |
Trade | Observer |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Church of St. John, Beck Row, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Slate Tablet on rear external wall of Church |
Memorial Text | In remembrance of all who served at RAF Mildenhall and associated aerodromes in the cause of freedom, 1939-1945 |
Location | St. George's Church, Methwold, Norfolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Roll of Honour & inscribed window |
Memorial Text | Roll of Honour of 149 Sqn RAF and a window remembering the men and women of all Nations who served at RAF Methwold, 1939-1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
DFM citation: Holland Ernest John, 751976 Sergeant, No. 149 Sqn, London Gazette 13/3/42, Sorties 30, Flying hours 159, Air Observer. This NCO has taken part in 30 major operational night flights as Observer involving a total of 159 hours flying. He has at all times shown outstanding skill, courage and devotion to duty. He has no hesitation in making one or more dummy runs if he is not certain of his bombs finding their objective and he always makes certain that his actual target is located no matter how long a period is spent in the target area with it's usual intense anti - aircraft fire and searchlight opposition. His bombs are invariably dropped in two or more sticks at all times, no matter how low the altitude or how intense the opposition. This NCO never allows himself to be deviated from his purpose with the result that nearly all occasions he has obtained first class bombing results and on many occasions good night photographs. Sergeant Holland, despite all the bad weather of the past months and one particularly bad experience when his aircraft became badly iced-up and came down out of control to 200 feet over Berlin, is still keen and enthusiastic to continue with operational flying and is an example and inspiration to other Observers in the squadron. Dated 7/4/41, award w.e.f. this date. Remarks by Station Commander; A very outstanding Observer in his squadron who has shown exceptional courage and ability in the carrying out of his operational duties. Very strongly recommended. Remarks by A.O.C.; I concur in the above recommendation and consider that the consistent enthusiasm and determination displayed by this NCO well merits special recognition. |
He was an only child and was known to his fellow crew as 'Dutch'. Ernest's photo was used in a recruitment poster commissioned by the Ministry for Labour and National Service, just a few weeks prior to his death. One was created for each service and all are posted here for completeness. They were printed by J Weiner of New Oxford Street, London. |
Sgt Ken Rawlings survived and became a prisoner of war. |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/5831 (P358331/41) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1001/8 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1001/7 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 12-04-1941 |
End Date | 13-04-1941 |
Takeoff Station | Mildenhall |
Day/Night Raid | Night (98% moon) |
Operation | Mérignac |
Reason for Loss | The crew had indicated over w/t that they were experiencing engine trouble close to the target which may be the reason that they took a more direct route home than the one planned. Doubting they could make it back to England, they deliberately lost height in an effort to execute a forced landing. Sgt. Rawlings bailed out with a flare in order to seek a flat field for the aircraft to attempt a landing but on the approach the aircraft struck a tall chimney belonging to the village bakery and crashed in the centre of the village, also killing nine French villagers. Crashed near St. Sever-Calvados, almost certainly of mechanical failure. |