Arthur Holyoake
Donald was born on the Scottish island of Islay, the second eldest of 13 children.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish Highlands Scout Section | Scout Section Member | 16 Apr 1941 | 03 Jan 1944 |
| Operation Bulbasket | SAS combatant | 11 Jun 1944 | 06 Jul 1944 |
Postman (previously baker)
Donald joined the Highland Light Infantry at Auchengate, their training base, on 15 Aug 1940. It seems a short while later he transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was posted to Coleshill House, in April 1941 though it seems like he was actually sent to a Scout Section after an initial training course at Coleshill.
He was officially posted to the SAS on 1 Apr 1944, though he may have joined with other Scout Section members in February 1944. The men were posted to the Army Air Corps on 1 Apr 1944, the date the SAS as a whole joined the Corps. Reportedly he joined as a number of other of his pals were also joining. Most probably these were other Scout Section members.
He was dropped into France in June 1944 as part of Operation Bulbasket. He was captured when their camp was surrounded and was executed with his fellow prisoners. He is buried at Rom. He had spoken to family before he left telling them that he didn't expect to return.
SAS and LRDG Roll of Honour,
Arthur Holyoake
www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2695090/DONALD…