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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 246

An exceptionally well-documented and scarce 1946 M.B.E., and pre-War ‘Aden’ A.F.M. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader A. L. Holland, Royal Air Force

The Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) 2nd type breast Badge, silver; Air Force Medal, G.VI.R. (562133 L.A.C. A. L. Holland. R.A.F.), officially impressed naming in small capitals; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaves, mounted as worn, good very fine (6)

M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1946. According to the recipient, awarded for service as Senior Armament Staff Officer at HQ No. 18 Group, operating some 20 squadrons of variously equipped arms, and carrying out offensive roles in and over the areas of sea and ocean off Scotland, and convoys to Russia and America.

A.F.M. London Gazette 9 June 1938. Awarded for service with No. 8 Squadron in Aden during 1936-38, the original recommendation was for the award of a D.F.M. or A.F.M. states:

‘Since 1936 has flown nearly 612 hours and his accuracy, zeal and patience in bomb aiming have resulted in the shortening of operations involved in. Instrumental in concluding the Katabi operations and has worked long hours.’

The recipient states that this award was for ‘meritorious service over 2 years in the Aden Protectorate as Squadron Bombing, Gunnery and Photography Leader whilst a Leading Aircraftsman Aero Engine Fitter. Upward of six operations undertaken against dissident tribesmen.’ Holland’s log book for this period, however, records 22 offensive bombing raids as well as numerous reconnaissance flights.

M.I.D. London Gazette 24 September 1941 (Flying Officer) and 14 January 1944 (A/Squadron Leader). According to the recipient he received the first mention as Commissioned Gunnery Leader of No. 233 Squadron after 18 months of active operations against enemy shipping in the North Sea and coast of Norway, including also raids into Germany. His second mention was for service as Armament Training Officer at a Coastal Command Operational Training Unit for twin engined Fighter/Strike aircraft, assisting in the development of batteries of wing mounted rockets as an effective weapon against shipping.

Arthur Leslie Holland was born in Armagh in 1911 and educated at St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School. In January 1928 he was accepted as an Apprentice at No. 1 School of Technical Training, R.A.F. Halton. Having completed his apprenticeship and qualified as an Aircraftsman 1st Class Fitter Aero Engine, he was posted to R.A.F. Calshot at Southampton and subsequently to No. 201 (Flying Boat) Squadron, also at Southampton. Between June 1933 and February 1935, Holland clocked up more than 280 hours on the Southampton Flying Boat S1645, and in February 1936 was posted to no. 8 (Bomber) Squadron, with whom he served in Aden for the next two years. It should be noted the entry for 2 April 1937, flying in Vincent K4883, flown by Squadron Leader Barrett, Holland flew two bombing missions on Khureba and Kuren. The latter one saw the crew dive bombing with 8 bombs. It was clearly not an easy Operation, for he noted:

'Petrol tank holed by shrapnel.'

He served with No. 269 Squadron until February 1940 when he was posted to No. 233 Squadron, with whom he took his total hours flown to more than 1200. From November 1941, Holland served as Armament Training Officer with No. 9 Coastal Command Operational Training Unit at Crosby-on-Eden, and was finally demobilised in 1947.

Sold together with the recipient’s two original Flying Log Books for the period June 1933-July 1945, two original M.I.D. Certificates, forwarding letter for the O.B.E., various letters of congratulation and a plethora of images. These all housed within two detailed files, which include an original and unpublished account of his career written by the recipient, interlaced with a vast amount of original and useful information related to all aspects of his remarkable career.

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Sold for
£3,200

Starting price
£2200