The Airmen's Stories - P/O D F Holland

Dennis Frederick Holland was born on 8th June 1917 in Exeter, the son of Frederick William Holland and Eunice Holland (nee Pickard)

He was educated at Newbury, Berkshire. He had obtained his 'A' and 'B' flying licences by the time he was 17.

He became the youngest Civil Air Guard instructor in Britain and in 1938 was instructing at the Portsmouth Aero Club. By September 1939, when he was called up as a member of the RAFVR, Holland had 3000 flying hours.

Commissioned in December 1939, he joined 72 Squadron in early 1940. On 4th September he claimed a Me110 destroyed, on the 5th a Me109 and on the 15th a He111.

Holland was shot down over Canterbury on 20th September. He baled out, severely wounded, and died soon after admission to hospital. His Spitfire, X4410, is believed to have crashed at the hamlet of Stiff Street, near Sittingbourne.

Holland is buried in St Andrew's churchyard, Chaddleworth, Berkshire.

Additional research and portrait photo courtesy of Adrian Crossan

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