Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Battle of Britain Radar Operator's group of six awarded to Sergeant R.M. Holland, 600 Squadron, Royal Air Force

1939-45 STAR, clasp, Battle of Britain; AIR CREW EUROPE STAR, clasp, France and Germany; ITALY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS; ROYAL AIR FORCE L.S. & G.C., E.lI.R., 2nd issue (W/O R.M. Holland (626982) R.A.F.) mounted as worn, good very fine (6)

Born on January 10, 1911, Holland joined the R.A.F. on November 17, 1938, as a trainee wireless operator. After training at Cranwell and Yatesbury he was posted on September 3 1939 to R.A.F. Aldergrove for a gunnery course.

Holland joined 600 Squadron at Northolt on October 2, 1939 and shortly afterwards was detached to 25 Squadron, also at Northolt, for Radar Operator/Mechanic training. He moved to Manston with an experimental flight of three Blenheims, 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 600 Squadron at Manston and remained with it until 1 December 1940. During this period he flew in Blenheims and Bearfighters as Air Gunner or Airborne Interception Operator. On several occasions his pilot was the Squadron C.O., Sqn. Leader D. de B. Clark and his successor, Sqn. Leader H.L. Maxwell.

Promoted to Sergeant in December 1940, Holland was attached to No. 1 Special Duty List at Uxbridge, for specialist duties in Canada and the U.S.A. After serving in Canada for some time he was posted to No. 1 Radio School at Chinton, Ontario on August 12, 1942, as an instructor.

In 1943 Holland went to the U.S. Navy Technical College at Corpus Christi, Texas, for a radar course, after which he returned to the U.K. On December 26, 1943 he was posted to 311 Squadron, moved to 51 O.T.U., Cranfield, on January 16, 1944, as an instructor, and having been promoted to Warrant Officer he was posted later to H.Q. A.D.G.B. Commissioned in September 1944, Holland joined 125 Squadron at Coltishall on October 7. He moved to 143 Wing in France on December 12, 1944, joined 614 Squadron in Italy on April 24, 1945 and was discharged at his own request in January 1946, being then time-expired.

Holland rejoined the R.A.F., as a Flight Sergeant, in January 1947. He retired in June 1967 on medical grounds, as a Warrant Officer. The lot is sold with the recipients original Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying log book, two original photographs of the recipient, and additional research.