Loving tributes paid to Mansfield war hero and father who passed away aged 96

Tributes have been paid to a Mansfield war hero who passed away this month.
Albert Holmshaw sadly passed away earlier this month.Albert Holmshaw sadly passed away earlier this month.
Albert Holmshaw sadly passed away earlier this month.

World War Two veteran Albert (Bert) Holmshaw, died on Monday, January 11, at the age of 96.

During the war, Bert was in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers attached to the 7th Field Regiment Royal Artillery.

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He saw action in north west Europe and was part of the main assault division for Sword Beach on D Day, for which he was awarded the Legion of Honour, France’s highest order of merit.

Bert with Taxi Charity volunteer Danny Shelton.Bert with Taxi Charity volunteer Danny Shelton.
Bert with Taxi Charity volunteer Danny Shelton.

Bert married Betty in 1949 and had two daughters, Christine and Janet, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

After the war he was employed as a motor mechanic and later worked for the Ministry of Transport, as a senior vehicle examiner.

Later in life, when he retired, he returned to live in Mansfield.

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Bert’s daughters, Janet Holmshaw and Christine Orton, said: “Our dad was a real gentleman, a good and loyal husband, a caring father, grandfather and great grandfather.

"He will be sadly and greatly missed."

Bert was a much-loved member of the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans and went with the charity to Normandy to mark D Day in 2018 and 2019 with his daughters.

They added: "We have so many memories of our visits to Normandy. He always loved to go whenever he was able to and we were lucky to experience some of these trips with him.

"We have always been proud of our dad, but on these occasions were overwhelmed by the courage of him and his fellow comrades.”

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Dick Goodwin, vice president for the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, said: “It was always very emotional to be with Bert at the cemeteries visiting his fallen comrades.

"I will be eternally grateful to him for sharing his WWII stories with me and being such a great friend.”

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