13th October 1916 – 15th April 1977

Above: Vivian ‘Bob’ Hollowday GC, as a Cpl. (Courtesy of Derek Hollowday)

Vivian ‘Bob’ Hollowday was born on the 13th October 1916 in Ulceby, Lincolnshire. He married widow Beatrice Mary Wright (née Geldart) on the 6th September 1948.

Fg Off. William Wright 116695 RAFVR was KiA on the 2nd of two daylight raids on Berlin on the 30th January 1943.

Above: Marriage of Vivian ‘Bob’ Hollowday GC, and Beatrice Mary Wright (Courtesy of Derek Hollowday)

Above: Appeal to return his stolen George Cross (Courtesy of The Guardian Journal, dated 18th November 1970)

Vivian passed away on the 15th April 1977 in Bedford, Bedfordshire.

Above: Courtesy of The Daily Telegraph, dated 19th April 1977

Whilst serving at RAF Cranfield he was awarded the George Cross (GC) which was promulgated in the London Gazette on the 17th January 1941.

Citation reads:

‘935282 Aircraftman First Class Vivian HOLLOWDAY. One night in July, 1940, when returning to camp, this airman observed an aircraft crash and burst into flames. He immediately proceeded to the wreckage and made his way through the burning debris which was scattered over a wide area by the force of the impact. He found the pilot whose clothing was on fire, and put out the flames with his bare hands. Had the pilot not been killed instantly in the crash this action would in all probability have saved his life. During August, 1940, this airman was again returning to the camp when an aircraft suddenly spun to the ground and exploded. He immediately went to the crash and a second explosion occurred. Ammunition was exploding all the time but despite this, he borrowed a gas mask, wrapped two sacks over himself and spent some time in the flames, making four attempts before he succeeded in releasing the first occupant. He then re-entered the burning wreckage and successfully removed the second. All three occupants, however, were already dead. Aircraftman Hollowday displayed amazing courage and initiative on both occasions’

The details of the aircraft and crews described in his citation were:

On the 2nd July 1940 Sgt. Noel Francis Lloyd Davies 754516 RAFVR Age 20, was killed when his aircraft crashed during a night take-off from RAF Cranfield. He was flying Master I N7695 from No.14 Service Flying Training School (SFTS).

He was buried at the Cleethorpes Cemetery in Section B.B, Grave B.17. Born on the 24th December 1919 in Derby, Derbyshire. Son of Ronald Harry and Hilda Gertrude (née Hipkiss) Davies of Barnoldby le Beck, Lincolnshire, England.

On the 7th August 1940 Blenheim IV P4902 from No.17 Operational Training Unit (OTU) took-off from RAF Upwood. The aircraft spun and crashed near North Cawley, 3 miles ENE of Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, killing the three (3) crew.

Pilot: Flt Lt. Edward Patrick Mortimer 37521 RAF Age 29;
Observer: Sgt. David Allen Gibbs 755158 RAFVR Age 20;
Air Gunner: Sgt. Dennis Frank Alves 550539 RAF Age 21.

Burial details:

Flt Lt. Edward Patrick Mortimer. Bury Cemetery, Huntingdonshire, Row B, Grave 21. Born on the 17th March 1911 in Kingswood, Gloucestershire. Son of John and Florence Maud Mary (née Hartnell) Mortimer of Clevedon, Somerset, England.

Sgt. David Allen Gibbs. Paignton Cemetery, Cons Section, Grave 5449. Born in January 1920 in Westhampnett, Sussex. Son of Frederick Henry and Kathleen Ethel (née Widdicombe) Gibbs of Paignton, Devon, England.

Sgt. Dennis Frank Alves. Bury Cemetery, Huntingdonshire, Row B, Grave 22. Born in July 1919 in Walsall. Grave Inscription: “AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN AND IN THE MORNING WE WILL REMEMBER HIM”. Son of James and Ethel Mary (née Glazier) Alves of Walsall, Staffordshire, England.

Researched by Ralph Snape for Aircrew Remembered and dedicated to all those named and their families, with thanks to Derek Hollowday, nephew of Vivian ‘Bob’ Hollowday GC (Jun 2026).