Duke of Windsor
An interesting archive of letters, photographs, sketches, medals, cigarette case etc. belonging to Harold Holder (1911-81), bodyguard to the Duke of Windsor, including;
Royal Duties - commences with a letter describing his appointment to protection work while in Special Branch, and the need to fly at short notice to join the Duke in Lisbon for travel to the Bahamas where the Duke was to be Governor. A press cutting describes the urgency caused by German attempts to prevent the ex-king leaving Europe,
Photographs commencing upon arrival in Nassau (1940), recording the Duke and Duchess in the Bahamas and on visits to the USA and Canada, One portrait is signed by both, others depict visits to a war factory in Detroit, and to New York's Chase National Bank, City Hall, Park Avenue, etc. (1941). Other visits include Miami, Washington and Palm Beach as well as to a ranch in ?Alberta, Canada.
A white metal cigarette case with the Duke's armorial contains a presentation inscription to Sgt. Holder (1940). Numerous stamps and visas in his passport record his travels with the Royals and a travelling expenses sheet signed by the Duke is present..
Harry Holder then joined the RAF and trained as a Navigator with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1944, his log book records his training and subsequent operations in Malaya, Singapore, Cocos and India (1945-6), there are also photographs of his Hawker Tempest, which he crash landed.
An interesting typed letter signed by the Duke of Windsor in April 1948 discusses Harry's plans to relocate to the USA and the difficulties of finding work as 'a foreigner' but offers to contact 'my old friend Mr Edgar Hoover' on his behalf.
From 1951 to 1958, Harry served with the Special Branch of the Malayan Police (Asst. Superintendent) during the uprising against British Colonial Rule. Included is a Pewter salver recording his service.
From 1958-64, he served in Nigeria, during independence.
A collection of military badges and medals includes four Defence Medals, four War Medals (1939-45), two 1939-45 Stars, the France and Germany Star, The Burma Star, two General Service Medals with Malaya Clasps, a strip of miniature medals replicating most of the above, a Nigeria Independence Medal 1960 and a quantity of Red Cross Society medals.
Another talent of Harry Holder is shown in a collection of colourful original artwork, including childrens illustrations with verse, cartoons, pencil sketches, etc, many signed and dated in the 1940's.
Also included are family photographs, postcards (one signed by the Duke and Duchess), letters and cards, ephemera, etc.
Personal inspection recommended (qty)