top of page
Paul Press
May 5, 20231 min
Part 1: The Seventeenth Man?
Welcome the the story of The Seventeenth Man? Albert Joseph Holtom was a founding member of the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment,...
80 views
Paul Press
Jun 21, 20239 min
Part 7: Operation Simcol (Italy) – 2nd to 25th October 1943
Although there is no mention of Italy in Albert’s service records, his letters home, Field Service Postcard, and Christmas card from...
16 views
Paul Press
Jun 1, 20232 min
Part 6: Operation Fustian (Sicily)
Lieutenant Andrew Roberts signed Albert’s Service and Pay Book to confirm that Albert had qualified for the Africa Star, dating the entry...
20 views
Paul Press
Jun 1, 20232 min
Part 5: Operation Torch (North Africa)
Albert sailed from Greenock in Scotland to Algeria on a converted cruise liner with the rest of the 2nd Battalion in November 1942, as...
7 views
Paul Press
Jun 1, 20239 min
Part 4: Operation Biting (Bruneval)
Albert states in his testimony that Operation Biting, the lightning raid on a radar installation in Bruneval, France, in February 1942,...
15 views
Paul Press
May 16, 20235 min
Part 3: Training and Early War Years
In his civilian life, Albert was an Assistant Bakery Manager in the Holtom family bakery. Therefore it is plausible that when he...
13 views
Paul Press
May 12, 20231 min
Part 2: The Parachuting Cook?
This blog focuses specifically on Albert’s activities between 21st September 1941 and 17th January 1945, during which time all sources...
18 views
bottom of page