CWO (RETIRED) JAMES DUNCAN HOLLAND MMM, CD2

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CWO (RETIRED) JAMES DUNCAN HOLLAND MMM, CD2 It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of our dear Husband, Father, and Grandfather, Jim on September 26, 2010, a week before his 88th birthday. CWO (Retired) Holland was born in Amherst, NS. During the offset of the Second World War, then 17 years of age, CWO Holland, first enrolled as an Infantryman, however, after training and deployment to England, he was transferred to the Canadian Provost Corps as a Military Policeman. Throughout the War he served with a variety of Provost Companies including the 6th, 7th, and 9th and 1 Field Detention Barracks. CWO Holland rose throughout the Ranks during his service in England until promoted to the rank of WO I and appointed the Regimental Sergeant Major of the 6 Provost Company at an exceptional young age of 24. In 1947, CWO Holland returned to Canada as a Staff Sergeant and was posted to various locations, which included Halifax, Moncton, Ottawa and Wainwright and successfully completed Criminal Investigations Training in Fort Gordon, U.S.A. In 1952, he was again promoted to WO I and returned to a theatre of operations, this time Korea. From Korea he traveled the globe, which included Japan, and Hanover, Germany. It was in Hanover where he met his wife, Hanne-Lore, and returned to Canada. He was posted to Borden, Churchill and finally Winnipeg after serving 26 years at the rank of CWO. In 1978, CWO Holland retired after a distinguished career of 38 years having what he truly considered the honour and privilege of serving his country in both War and Peace. He was appointed as a Member of the Order of Military Merit and his appointments included four years as RSM of the C Pro C School, nine years as Base Borden CWO, Garrison Sergeant Major in Churchill, and as Training Command CWO in Winnipeg. Upon retirement, CWO Holland remained an active gentleman. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and did serve three terms as President of the St. James Legion (No. 4); was a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge and did serve as worshipful Master of the St. James Lodge #121 and was once appointed the District Grand Master First Masonic District. He is also a Lifetime Member of the 17 Wing Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess and the Royal Canadian Legion. In 2007 the upper lounge of the 17 Wing Warrant Officers' and Sergeants Mess was named the Jim Holland room in his honour. He was a Life member of the Khartum Temple Patrol, a member of the Korean Veterans Association # 17, a member of the ANAF #283, a member of the Scottish Rite #32, a member of the CFB Winnipeg Golf Club, and a member of the Heathers Seniors Golf and Curling Club CWO Holland was also an active member of the Actra Guild of Winnipeg and had parts in 14 movies, including Tracks of Glory and the Avro Arrow. Left to cherish the memory of Jim are his wife Hanne-Lore, his son Michael, his daughter Christine, his daughter-in-law Helen, his grandchildren Samantha, Duncan and Sasha Merrell, his brother Arthur of Amherst, NS, and his sister Helen Sears of Oakville, ON. James was predeceased by his brothers Aubrey and Stanley, and sister Hazel Mackenzie. Funeral Services for Jim will be held at the Westwood Community Church, 401 Westwood Drive on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a reception at the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch #4) located at 1755 Portage Avenue. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Canadian Forces Military Police Fund for Blind children in memory of Jim. Chapel Lawn 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 02, 2010