Leading Aircraftman Thomas Holroyd

Thomas Holroyd was the foster son of Alfred E. and Zoe Colley of Liverpool. He was a Flight Mechanic with No.615 (County of Surrey) Squadron. 

Thomas was killed at one of Kenley’s dispersals, by enemy machine gun fire, during the air raids on 18th August, 1940 – “The Hardest Day” of the Battle of Britain.

Sammy Samson, also a member of No.615 Squadron’s ground crew, recalled Holroyd’s death:

One memory of that day was the loss of one of our Regular ground crew boys, LAC ‘Doom’ Holroyd. It was always ‘Doom’s’ ambition to drive a truck, and he remained in the flight lorry with Reg Cunningham (an RAF lad), but changed places with him to be at the wheel. Sadly, he was hit in the face by a bullet from one of the Dornier 17 bomber’s rear gunner and died instantly.

Rest in peace Sir and thank you for your service.