The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. K C HOLLAND

Kenneth Christopher Holland was born on 29th January 1920 in Sydney, New South Wales, the son of Harold George and Ina Gladys Christopher Holland.

He was educated at Randwick Intermediate High School, after leaving he

In the mid-thirties he was living in Camelford, Cornwall in the care of a guardian, Major Hugh Ripley, ex-Worcestershire Regiment. He had served in the Australian Police prewar and must have known the Holland family.

Holland was studying at Airspeed Aeronautical College in 1936-37 and joined the RAFVR on 12th July 1939 as an Airman u/t Pilot.

Called up at the outbreak of war, his initial training was at 3 ITW Hastings, he then went to 11 EFTS Perth. On 27th April 1940 he arrived at 6 FTS Little Rissington and went on to 5 OTU Aston Down on 3rd August.

Holland completed his flying training and joined 152 Squadron at Acklington on 18th August 1940.

On September 17th Holland shared in the destruction of a Ju88 and on the 19th he shot another down into the sea. On the 25th Holland attacked a He111 and set it on fire. Seeing a parachute, he went in for a closer look but was shot down by a gunner still in the stricken Heinkel.

His Spitfire, N3173, crashed near Church Farm, Woolverton. Holland was found to have been shot in the head. The Heinkel crashed at Church Farm. The crew of four were killed, only the pilot baling out and being captured.

Holland was cremated at Weymouth Crematorium but the fate of his ashes is not recorded.

Major Ripley had a memorial stone placed near the site of the crash.

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Above: there is also a memorial in St. Materiana's Church, Tintagel, Cornwall.