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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 619

(x) A poignant charcoal portrait of Wing Commander R. A. Holmwood, Royal Australian Air Force, executed by Cuthbert Orde on 24 February 1941, just two days before Holmwood was shot down whilst flying his Hurricane

Charcoal head and shoulders portrait, 375mm x 270mm frame size, paper laid down upon card, signed 'Orde 24 Feb 1941' and the sitter identified as 'Wg/Cdr: R. A. Holmwood (R.A.A.F.), the card bent and somewhat torn through the chin, worthy of professional restoration, nonetheless an important portrait

Little more needs to be said about the work of Cuthbert Orde, but his works surely rank amongst the finest executed during the Second World War, or any other conflict for that matter.

The best biography of Holmwood is perhaps offered by the Kenley Revival website:

'Raymond Arthur Holmwood was the first Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officer to assume command of an RAF Squadron during World War II.

Raymond, the son of Arthur Percy Holmwood, a public school teacher, and Mabel Alice Holmwood, nee Burgmann, was born on 7 December 1911, in Newcastle, New South Wales. His Mother died when he was 14 years old.

Raymond entered the Royal Military College, Duntroon, Federal Capital Territory, as an RAAF nominated staff cadet on 15 February 1928. He then joined No.1 Flying Training School, Point Cook, Victoria and graduated in December 1931. He was commission in January 1932.

Holmwood was initially posted to No.1 Squadron in February 1932 before going on to join No.3 Squadron at Richmond, being Squadron Adjutant between December 1935 and February 1936. Between 1937 and 1939, he commanded the Cadet Squadron at No.1 Flying Training School and was on the staff at Air Force Headquarters in Melbourne.

Raymond had a highly developed sense of duty and was respected for his professional competence – he was also a first class athlete. His physical appearance complemented these attributes, with straw-coloured hair and blue eyes, he was described as making “…a most romantic figure.” He married Margaret Alice Gordon at St. Mark’s church, Darling Point, Sydney, on 21 September 1934.

In July 1939, he assumed command of the Intermediate Training Squadron at No.1 Flying Training School becoming the Squadron’s Chief Flying Instructor in April 1940 when it became part of No.1 Service Flying Training School.

In July 1940, Holmwood was assigned on exchange to the Royal Air force, following an operational fighter conversion course he joined No.64 Squadron. On 18 December 1940, he reported as a supernumerary Squadron Leader to RAF Kenley, assuming command of 615 Squadron on 22 December.

Squadron activity in December 1940 and January 1941 consisted mainly of patrols over Kent with the occasional foray to northern France. Holmwood is first recorded as leading a Kenley “wing” on 5 February 1941 when 615, in company with No.1 Squadron, took off on a sweep over France, Sergeant (Pilot) Owen Jenkins being lost on this mission. By 19 February, Holmwood had been promoted to temporary Wing Commander, when he led No.615 and No.1 with elements of No.605 on a bomber escort mission to Boulogne. The raid was deemed a success and no opposition was encountered.

615 Squadron began re-equipping with Hurricane IIs on 19 February. It was in Hurricane II Z2354, that Wing Commander Holmwood was shot down on 26 February 1941. He managed to bail out but his harness burnt through. The engagement took place over Wadddenhall near Canterbury. He left behind his wife and 4-year old son.

Raymond Arthur Holmwood was laid to rest at St. Luke’s Whyteleafe on 3 March 1941. 15 Officers and NCO pilots of No.615 Squadron were in attendance along with Wing Commander Prickman (OC RAF Kenley), Squadron Leader Brown (1 Squadron), Squadron Leader Norman (Operations), 5 RAAF officers, an Australian Army Lieutenant-Colonel and Commander Thompson RN representing the Prime Minister.'

The wreath sent by the Prime Minister read:

'Deepest sympathy from Winston S. Churchill, Honorary Commander of the Squadron.'

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£2,000

Starting price
£900