HOLDEN-WHITE, Harold Vere

Rank: 
Temporary Major
Unit / Base: 
'Special Boat Section'
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Sussex Regiment
Royal Engineers
Service: 
Army
Number: 
2013352
162512
Born: 
Wednesday, October 31, 1917
Died: 
1998
16.05.1940 enlisted Sapper, Corps of Royal Engineers [1].
05.09.1940 transferred from Corps on posting to 163 O.C.T.U.[1].
21.12.1940 commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Sussex Regiment [2].
April 1942 (Second Lieutenant) joined 2 Special Boat Section from the Royal Sussex Regt. [3].
08.11.1942 (Lieutenant)(Temporary Captain) (2 Special Boat Section) Operation Reservist at Oran Harbour, later awarded the Military Cross [4][4a].
October 1944 (Major) ('A' Group SBS) led reconnaissance patrols on Ramree Island, Burma, and along the Arakan Coast [5].
1945 Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Burma [6].
Post war member of the Commando Association from Devon [7].
Military Cross Recommendation
Oran Landings. Assault on port by HMS Walney and HMS Hartland - 8th November, 1942.
Was in Command of the Special Boat Section Unit, which was detailed to carry out dangerous and delicate operations in conjunction with assault on the port of Oran. He was in charge of the party operating from HMS Walney in folbots and displayed courage and initiative of a high order in attacking with small torpedoes a French destroyer which was leaving the port, and it is believed that one hit on the vessel was obtained [4a].
 
Sources
[1] Royal Engineers Service Card.
[2] London Gazette 35040, page 247.
[3] 2 SBS Timeline in Linked Content below.
[4] London Gazette 36486, page 1927.
[4a] National Archives files WO373/2/404 and WO 373/94/373.
[5] The book SBS in World War 2 author G.B. Courtney.
[6] London Gazette 37284, page 4785.
[7] Obituaries in Commando Association newslettter 108 (March 1999)
 

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