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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 397

(x) A fine Battle of Britain campaign group of four awarded to Flight Lieutenant W. H. 'Bill' Holland, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, having earned his rare clasp when answering the Call of Duty whilst still with No. 57 O.T.U. in October 1940, he had a good scrap with an Me.109 in April 1941 having joined No. 226 (Rhodesia) Squadron, before being shot down himself on 27 June 1941; made a prisoner of war at the legendary Stalag Luft III at Sagan - site of 'The Great Escape' - he communicated with the Top Secret Room 311 at the War Office in 1943

1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt. Lt. W. H. Holland. R.A.F.V.R.), officially engraved naming, good very fine (4)

Ex-Gaston-Grubb Collection.

William Henry Holland - or Bill to his friends and comrades - joined the Royal Air Force as an Aircraftman on 2 September 1939, was awarded his Flying Badge on 24 September 1940 and was commissioned Pilot Officer (General Duties) on 12 October 1940. Joining No. 57 O.T.U. (formerly No. 7), he clearly engaged the enemy whilst training in Spitfires in this period. The trainee Pilots, flying from RAF Hawarden, are known to have flown operational flights over the north-west, even scoring 3 enemy shot down in September alone.

Holland joined No. 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron on 4 November 1940 and thence No. 266 (Rhodesia) Squadron on 13 December 1940. It was whilst flying Spitfire P8185 on a Channel Sweep between Dungeness and Boulogne on 15 April 1941 that he:

'Fired 2 second burst at Me109 which suddenly dived beneath on tail of Spitfire, but was full deflection shot, and thinking another Me109 was on his own tail - this subsequently appears to have been P7611 - broke off with steep climbing turn and did not again see E/A. Whilst this Me109 is not claimed as damaged, three Pilots saw a Me109 dive past them at 300mph at this time with wheels partially down.'

He was flying the same kite on 27 June 1941 and having taken off from West Malling at 1615hrs, was lost in action. Despite not being seen in engagement with the enemy, he survived and was taken Prisoner of War. Given identity No. 1377, Holland was held 'behind the wire' the infamous Stalag Luft 3 at Sagan. Little more is known about his involvement in The Great Escape, but a letter signed by Captain R. B. Ford for Major Winterbottom from Room 311 at the War Office, marked MOST SECRET, to his wife on 31 May 1943 stated:

'We have reason to believe that F/Lieut. Holland is communicating to us by secret means. It is possible therefore that in an occasional letter his style may be slightly different to that to which you are accustomed, or that he may mention some new subject which you find puzzling.'

From December 1942, Room 311 had been screening his letters home for details and Holland was awarded a 'mention', no doubt on account of his clandestine work, by War's end (London Gazette 13 June 1946, refers). It should be noted that in the same list, just a few lines above Holland is the posthumous 'mention' of Squadron Leader Roger Bushall - AKA 'Big X' - and another to Wing Commander Stanford Tuck, the two main ringleaders.

Sold together with MOD letter to Gaston-Grubb, dated 29 November 1977, confirming the entitlement to the above awards, besides copied letter quoted above and research.

It appears the issuance and confirmation of the 'Battle of Britain' clasp by the MOD may well be in error, for he was serving with an OTU when he flew during the Battle. Other Pilots, also serving in OTUs are known to have scored victories during the Battle, only to later have been denied the clasp for which they were surely deserving, whilst a number of Squadrons were removed from those which were entitled.

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

Sold for
£5,500

Starting price
£2800