Stan Hollis

Stan Hollis was a modest but exceptionally brave soldier whose actions on the beaches of Normandy became the stuff of legend. As a Company Sergeant Major in the 6th Battalion of the Green Howards, he was at the forefront of the Allied invasion of Europe, displaying a level of fearlessness that earned him the highest military honor in the British armed forces.

Born in Middlesbrough, England, in 1912, Stan Hollis grew up in a working-class family. Before the war, he worked in his family's fish and chip shop and later served in the Merchant Navy, though his service was cut short by illness. He eventually joined the Territorial Army, enlisting with the Green Howards in 1939.

By 1944, Hollis was a seasoned veteran. He had served with the British Expeditionary Force in France in 1940, survived the evacuation from Dunkirk, and fought in North Africa and Italy. His extensive combat experience prepared him for the immense challenges he would face on the beaches of Normandy.

On June 6, 1944, Hollis landed on Gold Beach with D Company. His primary objective was to neutralize the Mont-Fleury battery. He charged a German pillbox alone, using his Sten gun and grenades to clear the position. Later that day, in the village of Crépon, he led a rescue mission to save two of his men who had been pinned down by enemy fire, displaying total disregard for his own safety.

The defining moment of his service occurred when he single-handedly attacked a German pillbox that was firing on his men. By drawing the enemy's fire and successfully destroying the position, he allowed his company to continue their advance inland, preventing significant casualties.

Following his actions on D-Day, Hollis continued to serve with his battalion until he was wounded later in 1944. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry. After the war, he returned to civilian life in Middlesbrough, where he ran a public house and remained a humble man, rarely speaking of his wartime exploits.

In his later years, Hollis lived quietly in his hometown. He passed away in 1972. His legacy as the only D-Day Victoria Cross recipient was eventually recognized with memorials, ensuring that his extraordinary contributions to the liberation of Europe would not be forgotten.

Hollis's story is significant because he represents the immense courage of the ordinary soldier. Despite being recommended for the Victoria Cross twice for his actions on a single day, he remained modest, insisting that he was simply doing his job. His actions helped secure the beachhead, which was vital for the success of the Allied invasion.

1. [T3] War History Online — "Sergeant Major Stanley Hollis, Recipient of the Only Victoria Cross for D-Day" (https://www.warhistoryonline.com/world-war-ii/sergeant-major-stanley-hollis-recipient-victoria-cross-d-day-m.html), accessed 2026-09-30
2. [T2] Liberation Route Europe — "Sergeant Stanley Hollis" (https://www.liberationroute.com/en/stories/245/sergeant-stanley-hollis), accessed 2026-09-30
3. [T3] The History Press — "CSM Stanley Hollis VC: D-Day hero" (https://thehistorypress.co.uk/article/csm-stanley-hollis-vc-d-day-hero), accessed 2026-09-30