Private Joseph Edward
Holt Army Number 3972333 Prisoner of War Number
252993 A Hero of the Battle
of Medjez el Bab 16.12.21. – 26.12.06 |
The
following information has been
compiled by Nick Lawson,
Grandson of Joseph Holt
Soldier's Release Book - Class A Holt has done well in the unit. An honest, reliable, hard-working man who can be trusted on his own. Sober style, good appearance and a pleasant manner. Willing type of worker. During his latter years, Joseph became blind and Nick spent considerable time recording details of his grandfather's life and Military Service. Further explanation is given in the text below It is written as dictated to Nick
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The Web Site is indebted to Nick Lawson, Joe's
Grandson who has provided the information shown above.
G. Pycroft |
Bill Sutch is in his 90s and lives in Colchester.
He does not have a computer, but he tells me that his daughter will ensure that he gets to see this tribute. He wrote this letter to me:- Dear Joe, Here is a small account of my time abroad with the LFs. We landed just outside Algiers in November 1942, with no opposition from the French, and we pushed on inland to take our first objective, which was an airfield ( Blida -Ed ) We hung around here for a few days whilst the politicians
came to an agreement with the French to fight on our side. We were then given orders to attack Medjez El Bab. We were told it would be easy as there were only
a few low grade enemy there. My Company managed to get across the river and
we took a lot of casualties. We then took up defensive positions along the front until April when the big attack went in ( Hill 512-Ed) Unfortunately I was wounded in the hip on the first
day and after receiving treatment rejoined my Bn, only to be wounded
again not 2 hours later ! I recovered in time to join in the assault on Sicily
and then into Italy. ( Gothic line phase-Ed ) We were on high ground when the winter set in,in
defensive positions near Rapiani on the road to Imola. I was given a railway warrant to Naples where I
called in to see my mate Dixie Dean who had lost both legs in the
same incident as me. I eventually arrived back in Blighty in March 1945, after spending 2 and a half years fighting abroad. I was posted on attachment to the Duke of Wellingtons Regiment at Colchester and there I stayed until my final demob in June 1946. All the best.
Please comment on this string to show Bill our appreciation. Joe. |