Stan Hollis VC - The man they couldn't kill was the only recipient of the VC from D-Day. Many other acts of valour occurred but none were recorded and recognised in this way. His grave in Acklam near Stockton on Tees was in need of repair due to crack s appearing in the stone that would eventually lead to more serious damage. The VCT team attended and undertook work to clean and repair the damaged areas in time for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. We were joined by members of the Green Howards Association who performed a guard of honour once the work had been completed.
The exploits of Stand Hollis Vc are captured in the excellent book by Mark Green:
Stan's citation reads
Company Sergeant Major STANLEY HOLLIS MONT FLEURY and CREPON, France 6 June 1944 He was 31 years old and serving in the 6th Bn, Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own Yorkshire Regiment). After landing on Gold beach, his company pushed inland. Noticing that two pillboxes had been bypassed, he went with his company commander to deal with them; as they neared the first, they came under machine-gun fire. Hollis charged forward alone, firing his Sten gun into the slit, and then threw in a grenade, taking all but five of the occupants prisoner. Moving on to the next pillbox, he was gratified to receive the surrender of 26 Germans. Later his unit came up against a field gun position. Hollis led the attack on the gun, running forward and firing a Bren gun, putting the gun out of action and saving two of his men who were trapped. He died on 8 February 1972.
Brazier, Kevin. The Complete Victoria Cross : A Full Chronological Record of All Holders of Britain's Highest Award for Gallantry . Pen and Sword. Kindle Edition.
