Skip to main content
George Hollox
Rank: Lance Sergeant
Name
George Hollox
Nationality
British
Unit

1st Battalion, The Royal Norfolk Regiment

Location
Normandy, France
Date
June 6th, 1944
Survived the war?
No
The Royal Norfolk Regiment

The Royal Norfolk Regiment

A true and brave heart

My mums cousin Lance Sergeant George Alfred Hollox of Wormegay, Norfolk was killed in action on D-Day. The son of James and Laura Hollox, husband of Illias Merriman Hollox, of Neyland, Pembrokeshire. He was in the 1st Battalion Royal Norfolk Regiment. He is Buried at Bayeaux Cemetery.

War diary June5, 1944

Our LCIs together with the rest of the force sailed out of harbour, anchored for a few hours and then set sail with the rest fo the naval force for France. Tps very seasick.

1st Battalion

The 1st Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment landed on Red Queen Beach, the left flank of Sword Beach on 6 June 1944, D-Day. All the family knows is that George Hollox was killed on the Beach at the age of 35.

The Battalion progressed up the beach and engaged the 736th Grenadier Regiment at the fortified position on Periers Ridge codenamed Hillman Fortress. In this attack the 1st Battalion suffered heavy casualties. The 1st Battalion continued to fight with distinction through the Normandy Campaign and continued in the vanguard of the drive through Belgium and Holland and was finally part of the occupying force.

The monument

There is a monument for The Royal Norfolk Regiment. This monument a tribute to the 116 men of The Royal Norfolk Regiment Memorial who fell on 6th June (D-Day) to 9th July 1944. The memorial is located on Route de Colleville between Colleville-Montgomery and Biéville-Beuville

Text on the memorial

"In memory of our 116 comrades who fell on D-Day 6th june to 9th july 1944. May peace and freedom be their everlasting memorial"

Sadly George was on of these 116 men.

 Text on George's tombstone

His heart was true and brave he lies at rest in a hero’s grave. nina and june

1st Battalion, The Royal Norfolk Regiment

The Royal Norfolk Regiment was a line infantry regiment of the British Army until 1959. Its predecessor regiment was raised in 1685 as Henry Cornwall's Regiment of Foot. In 1751, it was numbered like most other British Army regiments and named the 9th Regiment of Foot.

It was formed as the Norfolk Regiment in 1881 under the Childers Reforms of the British Army as the county regiment of Norfolk by merging the 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment of Foot with the local Militia and Rifle Volunteers battalions.

1st Battalion

The 1st Battalion was an army unit that was stationed in India at the outbreak of war and was recalled to Britain, arriving in July 1940 during the Battle of Britain. They were part of the 185th Infantry Brigade originally assigned to the 79th Armoured Division but the brigade (including the 2nd Royal Warwickshire Regiment and 2nd King's Shropshire Light Infantry) transferred to the 3rd Infantry Division, with which it would remain with for the rest of the war.

Veteran's personal medals
1939 - 1945 Star
1939 - 1945 Star
War Medal
War Medal
France and Germany Star
France and Germany Star
Veteran's personal file
The Royal Norfolk Regiment shoulder titles
The Royal Norfolk Regiment shoulder titles
Motto: In arduis fidelis (Faithful in adversity)
Personal photographs

Click on a picture for enlargement

  • June 6, 1944
  • Bayeux War Cemetery
  • XI. C. 2.

Remember each and every sacrifice, made for your freedom!

Add your own story today!
Share this page on social media

The stories on my website are meant to educate people about WW2. You can help by sharing them with your family and friends on your social platforms. Thank you so much for your assistance.