Capt. A.D.Bolland (109463) RA, HQRA 53rd. Welch Division

Born in 1919 in Cairo, David Bolland went to prep school in Somerset, before winning a scholarship to King’s School, Worcester. At school he was already making amateur documentaries (with Pathescope 9.5mm film) on such events as the Royal Jubilee of 1935 and the Coronation of George VI in 1937. On leaving he joined the London office of Peirce Leslie & Co. Ltd., a British firm (founded in South India in 1862) that managed tea, coffee and rubber estates as well as shipping and insurance. War intervened in 1939, and he joined the Militia. Until he was demobilised in 1946 he served as an officer in the 53rd. Welch Division, taking part in the 1944 Normandy landings. On service in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, he was mentioned in despatches and awarded an MBE (Military). 

Sunday, 17th September 1944
"...We didn't stay long at VEERLE - which was really little more than a halt, and today we went to BALEN, a pleasant little village draped with numerous flags. In the afternoon we watched a vast air armada of Dakotas and Gliders going over in a North-Westerly direction. It was a really magnificent sight - and we wondered to just where they were going. At 11 pm 158 Bde made an assault crossing of the canal near LOMMEL so that we could establish a bridgehead on the other side of the canal and build a Class 40 bridge there (Gestelsedijk) - it looks as though LOMMEL is going to be on one of the main axes to the North though the Guards Armoured Div have made a further bridgehead to the right of us and have already pushed quite a lot of stuff forward in that sector (Luikersteenweg). 

Monday, 18th September 1944
Not very much happening today. At BALEN we are in quite a large school and have the officers mess in a house. There seems to be a marked tendency to establish ourselves in buildings these days, which is a very good and necessary thing. In the afternoon there was a further procession of gliders - non-stop for about three hours. We still don't know just where the landings have taken place, but rumour has it that the Rhine has been crossed by the Guards Armoured Div and that they are pushing on towards the Zuiderzee, but it is only a rumour. In the afternoon I went down to Second Army HQ near Brussels to deliver our Met Officer to 83 Group RAF, as he has been posted as forecaster to Brussels Airport. 

Tuesday, 19th September 1944
The Infantry seem to be having trouble in establishing their bridgehead across the canal - judging by the amount of artillery fire they are calling for. On the whole a quiet day, I attended my usual conference at Rear Div - established in another school just East of BALEN - at 10 am, after which I went on my daily visits to the Regiments under our command; all seem quite happy, with no troubles. They are, I gather, likely to move across the canal before so very long. 71 A Tk Regt have now joined 71 Bde who are on the other side. The weather continues to be bad for the airborne landings, which the BBC reports took place at various places from EINDHOVEN to ARNHEM. The EINDHOVEN people have presumably been relieved by now. We hear that the big bridges at NIJMEGEN and ARNHEM are intact. 

Wednesday, 20th September 1944
This morning 83 Fd Regt went across the canal to continue their support of 158 Bde who seem to be making better progress. So do 71 Bde who are now well into Holland to the West of EINDHOVEN. At about midday we too moved across the river and the Dutch frontier to establish ourselves at HOEK. Here we saw the first of those traditionally picturesque Dutch windmills - and working too. Although there is as yet no Class 40 bridge built, everything has so far gone across the canal by a Class 9 Pontoon bridge. Some of our forward troops are now in contact with 506 American Paratroop Regt who landed last Sunday. The weather continues to be very bad. 

Thursday, 21st September 1944
At HOEK Div HQ is set up on the side of the road in a largish furniture warehouse. HQRA has got the whole of the first floor, and one's office is surrounded by beds, tables, chests-of-drawers etc. It is very dark, but under cover, which is the main thing. In the afternoon we saw another vast number of gliders going overhead - a far larger number than any we have seen so far. We hear rumours that things are not going too well up at ARNHEM, but the weather today is better so things should improve. All day vehicles of 15 Scottish Div have been passing on their way up to the WILHELMINA CANAL. The Class 40 bridge across the other canal is now open, so tanks etc of 4th Armoured Bde are also coming across to add to the general melée. 

Friday, 22nd September 1944
This morning Col CASTELLI went out on a recce and did not return. Subsequently his Jeep was discovered abandoned. He is therefore missing, presumed P.O.W. Our Infantry Bdes are now fighting around OOSTELBEERS, MIDDELBEERS, WINTELRE, DIESSEN, ESBEEK, EGYPTE and HILVARENBEEK. Very little to report on the 'Q' side. In the afternoon went with Ian Andrews of 501 Coy RASC to EINDHOVEN to have a look at the place, but we were stopped just on the outskirts and told that the road had been cut a little further North and that priority was given to Corps traffic. Whilst we were there one or two unexploded bombs went off. The place was badly knocked about by a German air raid two or three days ago. Many British vehicles had been damaged in this raid and lay derelict in the streets. 

Saturday, 23rd September 1944
In the morning there were reports that the enemy was retreating Northwards. Our Inf Bdes were accordingly moved North and West to keep contact with them and our Fd Regts moved accordingly. Many DF tasks were put down on the retreating enemy. Ray is at the moment in 26 FDS suffering from trouble from his poisoned leg. 43 Div have apparently made contact with the airborne troops at Arnhem, though maintenance to them is difficult as the road from EINDHOVEN to NIJMEGEN has been cut somewhere near ST.OEDENRODE. Great efforts are being made to keep the supply lines open, but it is very difficult. The weather is all against us, and it is again pouring with rain today. At HOEK Ray, Bennett and I are sharing quite a pleasant room in a nearby house. 

Sunday, 24th September 1944
This afternoon Div has left the furniture depository at HOEK to go to EERSEL - a very much nicer place than HOEK. It is only a little place, but everything is spotless. HQRA this time has a nice little school to itself, and the mess is in house next door. I went out and found billets for all the officers - all very comfortable. This is one of those villages in which the electric light has not yet been put on, but Div HQ has its electricity plant, so all is well. The weather is still bad, so is the news from ARNHEM, where things are not going well, though 43 Div are doing their best to link up. 

Teacher's house and school at Eersel - this photograph dates from 1900
 (COLLECTION: Mr. Frans Huijbregts)
HQRA on the right, mess is in the building on the left

Dijk 14, Eersel in June 2022  -  mess of HQRA in 1944
(PICTURE: Mr. Winfried Thijssen)

Monday, 25th September 1944
A horribly wet day. Poured all morning. Went to the usual A/Q conference at 10 am. Apparently 160 Bde had rather a sticky time last night when 2nd Mons were heavily counter-attacked. Still in village of EERSEL, a delightful little Dutch village. Everything is absolutely spotless and the local people are so kind. In the afternoon I went to visit Ray Newby in 26 FDS. He was very well on the whole and longing to get back. Better news today from the ARNHEM bridgehead. 160 Bde put in two attacks on REUSEL, both of which were only partially successful. Further attacks are going to be put in tomorrow. The Hun is putting up a stubborn resistance here. 

Tuesday, 26th September 1944
Still again filthy weather. After attending the usual A/Q conference at 10 am at Rear Div went off round the Regts again. Locations not so easy this time as they are at all points of the compass. 

4 Welch put in another attack on REUSEL this morning, again only partially successful. At dusk 83 Fd Regt fired some red smoke over the town as identification for Typhoons. The Typhoons got over the target dead on time and it was a great sight to see the rockets coming down. As a result of these the town was seen to be burning for some considerable time. 

Wednesday, 27th September 1944
Today 83 Fd Regt went off with 158 Bde Gp to the area of SCHIJNDEL where Jerry is being troublesome, trying to cut our lines of communication North of EINDHOVEN again. The wretched REUSEL is still holding out, so the Infantry have been withdrawn from it to allow for aerial attack and bombardment by heavy artillery (59th. (Newfoundland) H.R., R. A.) Shooting into REUSEL went on most of the day. In the evening the BBC announced that the airborne tps had been withdrawn from ARNHEM. This came as a bitter pill to most of us who knew just how much effort had been put into the whole thing. Many lives must have been lost, but the holding of the bridgehead definitely allowed us to build up very strongly behind it, and in particular to secure the two very valuable bridges at GRAVE and NIJMEGEN. 

Thursday, 28th September 1944
It looks like being a fine day at last. The news is still rather overshadowed by the story of the withdrawal of 1st Airborne Div from ARNHEM, but everyone is cheerful about things as a whole. In the morning I went to the usual A/Q conference at Rear Div HQ and returned to HQRA in time to see a magnificent attack by Typhoons (rocket firing) on REUSEL. This has been a tough nut to crack and rather reminds one of the old days at EVRECY. In the afternoon went with Ian Andrew and Bill Ling of 501 Coy RASC to EINDHOVEN. Didn't think much of the place, which has been pretty heavily bombed, and returned to HQRA via Div Ord Fd Pk in time to hear Churchill's review of the war. 

Friday, 29th September 1944
Another day at EERSEL, comparatively quiet. Things are once again quite static - reminding one of the old days at ST MAUVIEUX and CHEUX. Went to usual A/Q conference at 10 am after which I went back to HQRA where we were due for a visit from the Inspector RA and BRA Second Army. They turned up at 12.30. How typical the IRA was of the Regular Army, slightly patronizing towards the war-time soldiers and full of stories about all his pals who if they were over here wouldn't be much use to man or beast! In the afternoon went to see 83 and 81 to discuss honours and awards (I wish I didn't have to re-write ALL the citations!) and court martials etc. Am writing this at 1.30 am on 30th, so it is time I thought about bed! 

Saturday, 30th September 1944
Rain still keeping off. Went to usual A/Q conference at Rear Div at 10 am. We are getting very static-minded again, and it's high time we cleared the Hun away from this area. However, there are rumours of attacks coming up from the South by 49 Div and a couple of bdes of 3 Cdn Div. Heard grievous news that enemy had succeeded in partly blowing both railway and road bridge at NIJMEGEN. He is resisting very strongly at the moment. In the afternoon went with our Dutch interpreter (ATEN) to EINDHOVEN to take wireless into Phillips' factory for overhaul - but no business until Monday. Afterwards went with Aten to see an amusing film at the Century Cinema. This was called 'THE HEAVENLY BODY'. 

Film trailer

Sunday, 1st October 1944
A quiet day - the local (EERSEL) Harvest Festival. Went to Holy Communion taken by Bennett at 8 am. Also had a service before the A/Q conference at 10, so felt pretty well organised for the remainder of the day. In the late afternoon visited 133 Fd Regt - a frightfully bleak spot - made me feel a bit guilty after our comfortable premises! At 11 pm heard the good news from Toby Martin that Army are going to make up all our deficiencies in personnel (190 odd) and sat up to 2 am working out the plot for their collection from 31 Reinforcement Holding Unit 20 miles South of BRUSSELS. Much regrouping going on all along the Army front, preparing for the big push in about six days time. News received that CALAIS was liberated yesterday. Heard that 12 enemy suicide gents had swum down the WAAL (Rhine) to blow the bridge at NIJMEGEN. Did much damage to the railway bridge but little damage to the road bridge which was soon repaired. 

Monday, 2nd October 1944
A beautiful day - the first really fine one we have had since we arrived in Holland . In the afternoon went off to see about out reinforcements. Took Tom Davies and Mason with me in the car, picked up Toby Martin from RA 12 Corps and went off to Brussels , to arrive there at 7 pm just as it was getting dark. Went to Town Major's office and arranged accommodation for the night - the three of is in the Cosmopolitan Hotel by Gare du Nord, and Mason in the military barracks. After settling into our rooms went to feed at the Palace Hotel (army rations) at 8.45 pm, after which we had a look at some of the sights of Brussels, which was looking lovely in brilliant moonlight. After having a very welcome and much needed bath in the Hotel went to bed in sheets for the first time in this campaign at midnight..."