Stanley Hollis

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Stanley Elton Hollis VC (September 21, 1912 - February 8, 1972) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He has the unique distinction of winning the only Victoria Cross awarded on D-Day (June 6, 1944).

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Stanley Hollis was born in Loftus, North Riding of Yorkshire, England where he lived and attended the local school until 1926 when his parents moved to Robin Hood's Bay where Stan worked in his father's fish and chip shop[1]. In 1929, he became an apprentice to a Whitby shipping Company to learn to be a Navigation Officer. He made regular voyages to West Africa but in 1930, he fell ill with blackwater fever which ended his merchant navy career.

Returning to North Ormesby, Middlesbrough he got a job as a lorry driver and married Alice Clixby with whom he had a son and a daughter. In 1939 he enlisted as a territorial in 4th Battalion, The Green Howards. At the outbreak of World War II he was mobilised and joined the 6th Battalion, The Green Howards and went to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force in 1940 where he was employed as the Commanding Officer's dispatch rider. He was promoted from Lance Corporal to Sergeant during the evacuation from Dunkirk. He then fought from El Alamein to Tunis as part of the British 8th Army in the North African Campaign. Stanley was promoted to Company Sergeant Major just before the invasion of Sicily in 1943 where he was wounded at the battle of Primasole Bridge.

On June 6, 1944 in Normandy, France, Stanley Hollis went with his company commander to investigate two German pill-boxes which had been by-passed as the company moved inland from the beaches. He rushed forward to the first pill-box, taking all but five of the occupants prisoner and then dealt with the second, taking 26 prisoners. Then he cleared a neighbouring trench. Later that day, he led an attack on an enemy position which contained a field gun and Spandau machine guns. After withdrawing he learned that two of his men had been left behind and told Major Lofthouse, his commanding officer, " I took them in. I will try to get them out." Taking a grenade from one of his men Hollis carefully observed the enemy's pattern of behaviour and threw it at the most opportune moment. Unfortunately, he had forgotten to prime the grenade but the enemy didn't know this and kept their heads down waiting for it to explode. By the time they realised their mistake Hollis was on top of them and had shot them.

In September 1944 he was wounded in the leg and evacuated to England where he was decorated by King George VI on October 10, 1944.

After the war, he spent several years as a sandblaster in a local steelworks. Later becoming a partner in a motor repair business in Darlington before becoming a ships Engineer in 1950 until 1955 when he trained as a publican and ran the 'Albion' public house in Market Square, North Ormesby which had its name changed to 'The Green Howard'. The public house was demolished in 1970 and he moved to become the tenant of the 'Holywell View' public house at Liverton Mines near Loftus.

Stanley Hollis died on February 8, 1972 and was buried in Acklam Cemetery Middlesbrough. His medals were donated to the Green Howards Museum where they are on display to the public.

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He was 31 years old, and a Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant-Major) in the 6th Battalion, Green Howards, British Army during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 6 June 1944 in Normandy, France, Company Sergeant-Major Hollis went with his company commander to investigate two German pill-boxes which had been by-passed as the company moved inland from the beaches. He rushed forward to the first pill-box, taking all but five of the occupants prisoner and then dealt with the second, taking 26 prisoners. Throughout the day, wherever the fighting was heaviest he appeared, displaying the utmost gallantry. It was through his heroism and resource that the company's objectives were gained and casualties were not heavier. He saved the lives of many of his men.

[edit] The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Green Howards Museum (Richmond, North Yorkshire, England).

[edit] References

  1. ^ Wartime Courage by Gordon Brown Daily Telegraph Issue 47,409 p 28 dated 7th November 2007

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