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3968405 Staff-Sergeant Eric John Holloway, Army Air Corps, was my great uncle. He remains in the Arnhem Osterbeek cemetery, the Netherlands, close to where his glider landed during the opening of the Market Garden operation.

It was whilst in action in Osterbeek he was posthumously awarded the 'George Cross'. My Grandad, his brother, travelled to London to collect the medal on his behalf from King George. I remember the story about the day he met the King, how surprised he was that King George seemed such a short fellow and he was wearing make-up on his cheeks. That always made my Grandad chuckle.

The citation for Staff-Sergeant Holloway's action reads as follows:

"During the period 19th -25th September, Staff Sergeant Holloway commanded a section in a house in the area of Osterbeek. He showed great courage in patrol work. When the enemy launched their first attack against the gun positions he kept up effective fire with a Bren gun throughout the time the house was being demolished by a self-propelled gun at point blank range. By remaining at his post he was largely responsible for breaking up the enemy attack. His complete disregard for his personal safety saved what might have been a serious break-through by the enemy."

He was one of the many that fought bravely to hold the bridges open.

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