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Auction: 20002 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Space Exploration
Lot: 385

A Battle of Britain Radar Operator's group of six awarded to Sergeant R. M. Holland, No. 600 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, who flew night interceptor sorties in the skies above south-east England during the Battle, and later used his valuable experience of radar to train new recruits in Canada and at home

1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (W/O. R. M. Holland (626982). R.A.F.), good very fine (6)


Robert Meredith Holland was born on 10 January 1911 at Carshalton, the son of William Robert Holland and Mabel Miriam Roake of North Street, Carshalton, Surrey. Rather than follow in his father's footsteps as a groom young Holland joined the Royal Air Force on 17 November 1938 as an Aircrafthand, being later remustered as an Airman u/t Wop/AG. Sent to radio training at Cranwell and Yatesbury, he was posted to Aldegrove on 3 September 1939 for a gunnery course.

Holland joined No. 600 (City of London) Squadron at Northolt on 2 October 1939 and shortly afterwards was detached to No. 25 Squadron, also at Northolt, for Radar Operator/Mechanic training. He then moved to Manston with an experimental flight of three Blenheim aircraft for experimental duties in co-operation with the Chain Home Low R.D.F. Station at Foreness. After a short spell with a Ferry Unit, Holland rejoined No. 600 Squadron at Manston and remained with it until 1 December 1940. During this period he flew three night interception sorties aboard Beaufighter and Blenheim aircraft, his log book noting 19 flights in total for the month of September from the aerodromes of Redhill, Kenley, North Weald and Hornchurch. On several occasions around this time his pilot was the Squadron Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader David de Brassey Clark, and his successor, Squadron Leader Hugh Lockhart Maxwell. The former's command of the Squadron was cut short when he was hospitalised with broken foot bones after falling into a trench on 14 September 1940, whilst the latter was gazetted with the D.S.O. (London Gazette 22 November 1940, refers) whilst at Redhill before being transferred to No. 13 Group as a Night Controller at Newcastle. He was later made C.B.E. (London Gazette 1 January 1945, refers).

Promoted Sergeant in December 1940, Holland was attached to No. 1 Special Duty List at Uxbridge for specialist duties in Canada and the United States. After serving at R.C.A.F. Headquarters, Ottawa, he was sent as an Instructor to No. 1 Radio School at Chinton, Ontario, on 12 August 1942. The following year he was transferred for a radar course to the U.S. Navy Technical College at Corpus Christi, Texas, after which he returned home on 26 December 1943 and was posted to No. 311 Squadron. Moved to No. 51 O.T.U. at Cranfield on 16 January 1944 as an instructor, Holland was promoted Warrant Officer and sent to Headquarters, A.G.D.B.

Commissioned in September 1944, he joined No. 125 Squadron at Coltishall on 7 October 1944 before moving to No. 143 Wing in France in mid-December and on to No. 614 Squadron in Italy on 24 April 1945. He was finally discharged at his own request, time expired, in January 1946. It seems however that civilian life did not agree with Holland, for he returned to the Royal Air Force as a Flight Sergeant a year later, carving out a career spanning a further two decades before retiring on medical grounds in June 1967. This sadly coincided with the death of his mother in Enfield. Holland moved to Wales with his wife Alice in retirement and died at Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, on 26 May 1997.

Sold with the recipient's original Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book, Form 1767, detailing qualification as an Air Gunner on 2 October 1939, AI Operator Mechanic on 20 November 1939 and AI Instructor on 27 June 1940. Commencing 27 November 1939, this Log Book details the training of Holland in Oxford and Blenheim aircraft, including numerous practise interceptions, a parachute flare test, regular AI tests, and his posting to No 600 Squadron at Manston with effect from 26 June 1940 'For Specialist Duties from Kemble'. It offers full details of his service during the Battle of Britain with 'A' Flight as N.C.O. i/c AI Ops, noting regular flights and Interception Patrols on 11 July 1940 and 12 July 1940, followed by a 1 hour Operational Patrol on 29 July 1940 alongside Flying Officer Thomas Norman Hayes, D.F.C. His entry for 8 August 1940 further notes 'P.O. Grice shot down' - referring to the loss of fellow No. 600 Squadron airman Dennis Neve Grice, who was shot down in flames by Oberleutnant Sprick of III/JG 26. Remarkably, Grice remained at the controls of Blenheim L8665, guiding it clear of Ramsgate before crashing into the sea.

The Log Book continues into late 1940 with regular flights as Observer and patrols from Catterick and Drem in East Lothian. Sent to Canada, it details flights as an Instructor with Officer Trainees, including a 50 minute turn on 12 February 1942 when he was forced to return with engine trouble. A few days later he was forced to return home suffering from frozen controls, no doubt associated with the Canadian winter climate. This was followed the following month by a forced landing at Crummin due to ice. It concludes on 22 June 1945 with a flight as a passenger in a liberator aircraft from Rome to Foggia, the log noting 255.50 hours day flying, and 41.15 hours of night flying, including experience on Mosquito Mk. XII and Liberator Mk. V aircraft.


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Sold for
£5,000

Starting price
£1600