The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Perth war hero celebrates 99th birthday by receiving honour
VETERANS: Lancaster bomber pilot is given top French award
A Second World War hero celebrated his 99th birthday by being given the highest military award issued by the French government.
Former Flight Lieutenant Ernie Holmes, a resident of Perth’s Kincarrathie House care home, celebrated his milestone birthday on January 29 by being made a chevalier of the Legion d’honneur.
Mr Holmes was a Lancaster bomber pilot and flew many missions over occupied Europe.
Last week he received a letter signed by the French ambassador which confirmed the highest French order of merit for military and civil achievements had been conferred.
He was invited to the Netherlands 15 months ago to unveil a memorial to the crew of his plane where it was shot down in May 1943, with the loss of five members of the eight-man crew.
One of the last surviving Lancaster bomber pilots, he made an emotional trip to meet those who helped keep him safe when his plane was shot down.
The Lancaster was returning from a night-time bombing raid on Germany when it came under attack.
The aircraft crashed in the Netherlands but Mr Holmes parachuted to safety and was taken in by farmer Fons van der Heijden, a member of the Dutch resistance.
Just days before the region was liberated Fons, who had harboured many servicemen and with whom Ernie shared a birthday, was taken out of church by the Nazis and shot.
In 2018 Mr Holmes said: “These were good people who risked everything to keep me safe. There is no greater love than he who will give himself for another.”
His son David said: “He received a letter signed by French ambassador Catherine Colonna which recognises Ernie’s military engagement and steadfast involvement in the liberation of France during the Second World War.”
“This was Ernie’s first birthday since the death of his wife Irene last August and he was very ill over Christmas and the first weeks of 2020. However, he recovered in time to celebrate with his son and daughter and says he is now looking forward to his centennial.”