RAF pilot shot down in Second World War turns 100
A former RAF pilot who survived after his aircraft was shot down in the Second World War and went on to teach aspiring flyers in Edinburgh and Glasgow is turning 100 today.
Flt Lt Ernie Holmes, who lives in Perthshire, was a Second World War Lancaster Bomber pilot and put himself forward for some of the most dangerous missions, according to Air Vicemarshalrosspaterson,the RAF’S senior representative in Scotland.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
One of the more hair-raising moments during hiss RAF career happened in 1944 when he was shot down by the Germanswhileflyingoverthenetherlands. Only three out of eight men onboard survived, including the aircraft navigator and Mr Holmes. Shortly after the fatal crash, a farmer’s daughter, Netjevanderheijden,foundthe brave pilot hiding.
Shetookhimhomewhereher father, Fons, had a number of escapeesinhiding.atimmense risk to themselves, the family kept Mr Holmes sheltered until plans were confirmed to smuggle him to Spain.
But when he was reunited with his navigator on a carefullyplannedescaperoute,thepair were betrayed in Antwerp and subsequently taken to the prisoner of war camp Stalagluft III – scene of The Great Escape.
Mr Holmes spent the remainder of the war there before embarking on the infamous “Long March” to Lübeck from where he was repatriated. On 20 September 1944 the farmer, Fons van der Heijden, was shot for harbouring escaping airmen. He is forever grateful to that family in Holland who saved his life,” said Mr Holmes’s son, David. "I still think it’s remarkable he is the positive and brave man that he is today given what life has thrown at him.”
After the war Mr Holmes moved to Scotland and continuedtoservetherafasacivilian flying instructor at both Edinburgh and Glasgow University Air Squadrons.
He retired from the RAF in 1962 and now lives in Kincarrathie House, a retirement home in Perthshire. “I am sad we won’t be able to spend his birthday with him, but I know the carers are doing a fantastic job keeping him safe,” David added.
Mr Holmes’s daughter, Alison Marschner said: “He is the mostoptimisticpersonwhojust refuses to give into the barriers that come up against him.
“My brother and I, as well as the grandchildren and greatgrandchildren are immensely proud of all that Ernie has achieved in his life. He’s had more than his fair share of hard knocks but has always picked himself up.”
With lockdown preventing a gathering at the care home, recorded messages are being compiled by Mr Holmes’s familyforhimtolistento,including a message from Air Vice Marshal Ross Paterson.
“We’re delighted to be able to joinernie’sfamilyincelebrating his100thbirthday,”hesaid."asa Bomber Command Pathfinder inww2,erniesteppedforward to take part in some of the most dangerous missions. The story of his extraordinary survival as his aircraft fell from the sky, then evading capture for several weeks and his amazing resilience as a prisoner of war.”