One of my favourites in Normandy, this memorial commemorates all the Green Howards who fell in Normandy in 1944.
Excellent account of his day from the man himself : The Second World War Experience Centre - Company Sergeant Major Stanley Elton Hollis VC Madness.
Fantastic memorial. I have to agree with Owens comments on the memorial. Wonderful pictures. Regards Tom
Indeed it is a nice memorial. Whilst doing my research about VC's I discovered that Hollis was in the Merchant Navy as a Navigation Officer before the war working the UK-West Africa route until he caught Blackwater fever which ended that career path. He went on to join the TA before war broke out to suppliment his income as a lorry driver and the rest is history. How different things might have been.... Cheers Andy
Just looking at old threads & photos . Thought I'd post my pics of the Memorial on here that I took back in October 2010.
Just found this thread, but thanks Paul for the great photos! Last July, my Kiwi wife and I stayed at an old manor/hotel on the outskirts of Crepon. It had been occupied for four years by the Germans (possibly the Luftwaffe). For three days we romped all across Normandy and really had a great time. Didn't see it all so a future trip may be in the works.
Here's our 'home' for three nights in Crepon last summer....... It was built in the 1200s and added onto over the centuries. About 3 miles inland from Gold Beach. Inside the big courtyard I had to hop in the Jeep! Our second floor room faced east and one night I noticed a steady 'flash'. Sticking my head out the widow and looking north towards the beach, I could see that the 'flash' was coming from a lighthouse! Does anyone know what lighthouse that is? I tried to look it up but could not find out.
Statue is populary supposed to represent CSM Holis VC but, in actual fact, it is a dedication to all ranks of that famour regiment, the Green Howards. Gary M: how was the accommodation? I'vejust been looking at the same whilst planning summer 2016.. Any good.
I understand that the confusion that occasionally arises about the statue being in the image of Stan Hollis is because the Memorial includes mention of Hollis and a representation of his VC. As mentioned by a previous post, the Memorial is to all ranks and the face of the soldier is 'generic'.....nothing to do with Hollis (and even if it was it isn't a good likeness anyway!).
By the way: we drank the most awful & gopping coffee ever in that little 'pub' in Crepon. Next to the church. We had to go there for a WC-break and felt obliged to buy a cuppa. What a mistaka to maka...
