D-Day tribute to war veteran
Published Date:
04 June 2008
A FAMILY will pay tribute to a Pontefract man who died in service on board the HMS Ardent in 1940.
Richard Holland, 80, and Paul Holland, 52, will lay a wreath at Pontefract war memorial on Sunday in memory of their uncle and brother, Ronald Holland, who died when after the ship sank in battle against German cruisers on June 8, aged 19.
Paul said: "My uncle died along with 1,500 others on board HMS Ardent and two other ships, HMS Glorious and HMS Acasta that day.
"Me and my dad – his brother – will be going down to a service in Burton-on-Trent on D-Day – Friday – to pay tribute and remember those who died.
"My uncle was from Baghill and was the son of William and Matilda Holland. He was one of nine children – seven boys and two girls – and my dad is now the only one left.
"He was from a family of miners, but decided to join the Navy to serve our country in 1939."
Ronald's name is inscribed on the national war memorial in Plymouth.
The full article contains 187 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
04 June 2008 10:41 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Pontefract & Castleford
