Corps History
WW2 Commandos from REME Ranks Cfn Edward Holland No. 3 Commando
F
ollowing the interest from the November 2020 edition of the Craftsman Magazine, I decided to continue my research on REME soldiers who became Army Commandos in WW2. It was at this point I was presented with a transcript from a recording of Ted ‘Dutch’ Holland REME; kindly donated by his Daughter Liz. At the age of 17, just before the war Edward John Holland, ‘Ted’ had a job making wooden propellers, all carved by hand, for all types of aircraft including Tiger Moths, Spitfires and Hurricanes. He did this right up until war eventually broke out and Ted and his best friend, Bob Barnes, decided they wanted to join the RAF. However, Ted was not so fortunate, being only 17 he was refused. A year later Ted joined the Army and was selected for the REME, which was newly formed in 1942. He attended training courses on vehicles, and he worked on weapons, including 25 pounder and 6 pounder guns. His first posting was to Weymouth, to No.1 Experimental Workshops. This was where the waterproofing of vehicles took place in preparation for D Day. Ted was training men from the MT sections of other regiments, including Commandos and Royal Marines, showing them how to waterproof the vehicles, passing the knowledge on. When he spoke to a lot of them after D Day, he was pleased to hear that only small amounts of water had got in; causing no serious effects. This is a role carried out by REME soldiers within 3 Commando Brigade to this day. Before D Day, Ted was looking at the REME noticeboard and like many of us today, saw a notice inviting volunteers for the Commandos and the Airborne. Straightaway he volunteered for the Commandos and was posted first to Wrexham, North Wales, which was the primary training area for the Commandos, then finishing up in Scotland for the main training in Achnacarry, where he was successful in gaining the Green beret. Achnacarry is renowned for its Commando history. Potential Commandos would disembark the train at Spean Bridge railway
Cfn Holland’s transcript 16 craftsmaneditor@reme-rhq.org.uk
Cfn Edward ‘Dutch’ Holland station and have 60 mins to run the 6.7miles to Achnacarry House. If the soldiers weren’t under the hour, the gates would be shut, and they would be turned around. This test is recreated every year known as the Spean Bridge Commando Speed March. Ted was one that made it amongst others, passing the test and arduous training, and was then assigned to No.3 Commando. During his time with No. 3 Commando, his driving skills also came in use. He often drove jeeps, sometimes as an officer’s driver, his skills being in demand in dangerous places, particularly Germany as you can imagine! He drove many vehicles, including massive tank recovery vehicles, alongside his regular duties as a Commando, going on evening patrols and raids. No. 3 Commando was responsible for small, harassing raids. Destroying gun positions under the cover of night and causing havoc in order to
