The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. R M Holland

Robert Meredith Holland was born on 10th January 1911 and joined the RAF on 17th November 1938 as an Aircrafthand. He later remustered as an Airman u/t WOp/AG.

After radio training at Cranwell and Yatesbury he was posted to RAF Aldergrove on 3rd September 1939 for a gunnery course.

Holland joined 600 Squadron at Northolt on 2nd October 1939 and shortly afterwards was detached to 25 Squadron, also at Northolt, for training as a Radar Operator/ Mechanic. He moved to Manston with a flight of three Blenheims for experimental duties in co-operation with the Chain Home Low RDF Station at Foreness.

Above image courtesy of the Graham Saunders Archive.

After a short spell with a Ferry Unit Holland rejoined 600 at Manston and although a qualified WOp/AG he flew on operations as a radar operator. He remained with the squadron until 1st December 1940 when he was promoted to Flight Sergeant and attached to No. 1 Special Duty List at Uxbridge for specialist duties in Canada and the USA.

After serving in Canada for some time, Holland was posted to No. 1 Radio School at Clinton, Ontario on 12th August 1942 as an instructor.

In 1943 Holland went to the US Navy Technical College at Corpus Christi, Texas, for a radar course, after which he returned to the UK.

On 26th December 1943 he was posted to 311 Squadron, moved to 51 OTU Cranfield on 16th January 1944 as an instructor and, having been promoted to Warrant Officer, he was posted later to HQ ADGB.

Commissioned in September 1944, Holland joined 125 Squadron at Coltishall on 7th October. He moved to 143 Wing in France on 12th December, joined 614 Squadron in Italy on 24th April 1945 and was discharged at his own request in January 1946, being then time-expired.

Holland rejoined the RAF in January 1947 as a Flight Sergeant. He retired in June 1967 on medical grounds as a Warrant Officer.

He died on 26th May 1997 in Merthyr Tydfil.