- Contributed by听
- dollymixture
- People in story:听
- mr Stanley Holden
- Background to story:听
- Royal Navy
- Article ID:听
- A2291663
- Contributed on:听
- 12 February 2004
My late father Stanley Holden who joined the R.N as a boy recruit was a leading seaman on the Destroyer Speedwell when it was sent to Dunkirk to pick up the B.E.F from the beaches.
He was awarded the D.S.M for his bravery during the Dunkirk evacutation The Medal Citation reads:CH/J.106164. Holden.Stanley Robert. Leading Seaman, Royal Fleet Reserve. For outstanding ability, coolness and consistant devotion to duty. On the morning of June 1st. 1940 just before daylight four volunteers were called for to man the ships two whalers. Leading Seaman Holden immediately came forward and took charge of one boat. Under the very trying conditions of heavy machine gunfire,he was resposible for the transporting of a large number of B.E.F Troops from La Panne Beach to his ship. He worked untiringly until eventually the boat sank under him. Throughout the operation the beach was heavily being shelled. Leading Seaman Holden also showed outstanding ability and devotion to duty whilst embarking French Troops at Dunkirk, under very trying conditions on the nights of June 2nd -3rd. and June 3rd -4th. On both occasions Leading Seaman Holden leapt ashore, secured the ship's wires, received the brows from the ship and generally supervised the embarkation from the jetties.
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