James Henry Leopold Holford (1908-1998)

Soldier

Service No:	41154
Rank:	Captain, later Major
Squadron:	A
Role:	Squadron Leader
Known as:	Jimmy
Service:	Gazetted Lieutenant, 31 Jan 1932; Captain, 1 Aug 1938; Major, 31 Jan 1946. Joined 23H "from 2nd Armoured Brigade", 13 Dec 1940. He left during Aug 1942.
Mentioned in:	War Diary 13 Dec 1940 23H Story Page 12, Page 19

Civilian

Occupation:	Soldier
Residence:	14 Victoria Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire (1930), The Shard, Well Hill, Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire (1964)
Birth:	2 Nov 1908 in Mayfair, London
Death:	registered Feb 1998 in Southampton, Hampshire
Marriage:	to Catherine Constance Hickman (nee Beard)
Children:	1 daughter

Parents

Frederick Holford	Elsie Bonn
The Bungalow, Whelford, Fairford, Cirencester, Gloucestershire (1939), The End House, Chesterton, Cirencester, Gloucestershire (1965). Birth 7 Nov 1881 in Brighton, Sussex. Death 5 Jun 1965 at The Royal Hospital, Gloucester. Burial 10 Jun 1965 at St Peter's Church, Stratton, Gloucestershire.	Birth 10 Jun 1881 in Mayfair, London. Death registered Dec 1969 in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.
Marriage registered Sep 1907 in St George Hanover Square, London.

Notes

"Major 'Jimmy' Holford had a speech impediment, so that words that commenced with the letter R would have that exchanged for the letter W. If he were to recite the famous tongue twister it would be, "Wound the wagged wock the wagged wascal wan". His tank was going across country and it seemed necessary to change direction frequently. Major Holford, speaking to the driver over the inter-com, "Wight White", "Forward", "Left White", "Forward", "Wight White". The tank was jinking about from side to side and at this point Chalkie could stand it no longer, whereupon he picked up his microphone and addressed the major, "Don't keep saying Wight White, Left White, for Gawd's sake call me Chalkie, Guv'nor!" Ever after, it was Chalkie."

Sgt Bertie McCully, A Squadron