Den Hollander, E H (Eric Hendrik)

Den Hollander, E H (Eric Hendrik)

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Flying Officer Erick Hendrik den Hollander was the son of Hendrik Gerrit and Magdalena Den Hollander, twin brother of Paul Willem and Jenny Caroline. At the time of his death, his father was also serving with the Royal Netherlands Navy Air Service, while his brother, sister and mother where being held in prisons by the Japanese Imperial Army in Java.[1] Both Erick and his father were airmen and secured an escape with other pilots from the island, via Australia.

During the morning of the 28th of April 1944, Lizzie McCarroll was working at her farm with her son Tommy and daughter Jean at Loughmagarry Road, Ballymena, Co. Antrim. Two high-pitched, short, sharp whines were heard and then a Hellcat Mk I FN390-M[2] fighter plane flew low over their heads at approximately 10:30 am. Onboard was the pilot, Flying Officer Erick Hendrik den Hollander who served in the Royal Netherlands Navy Air Service, presently with 1847 Squadron,[3] based in Eglinton, Northern Ireland.

The fighter plane narrowly missed the family home of the McCarroll’s, struck the roof of a hay shed and then smashed into a field, bursting into flames, which in turn prompted the ammunition to begin exploding. The pilot died on impact, having already fallen unconscious while performing manoeuvers at 24,000 feet. He had hit an air pocket and his oxygen supply failed. He was probably not aware of any of the events that followed.

Fire brigades soon arrived from both the Royal Air Force and locally. They took some time, but with the help of the locals they soon distinguished the flames. Erick’s body was found, although severely burnt his identification tags and wallet were recovered. His body was wrapped in his parachute and removed from the scene.

A few days later Erick was laid to rest with a full military funeral.

Date of Death: 28/04/1944

Service: Officier-vlieger, KM., Royal Netherlands Navy Air Service, 1847 Squadron.

Service Number: NK

Burial Location: Faughanvale (Saint Canice) Church of Ireland Churchyard, Grave 15.


[1] The Japanese Empire occupied the Dutch East Indies during World War II from March 1942 until after the end of the war in September 1945. Today it is now part of Indonesia.

[2] Grumman F6F Hellcat was primarily a Carrier fighter plane produced by the United States which first flew it on the 26th of June 1942, going into full service a year later.

[3] 1847 Squadron consisted of 12 pilots, four British and eight from the Royal Netherlands Navy. It had just been formed on the 1st of February 1944, but due to the loss of 6 pilots during training the squadron was disbanded and merged into 1840 Squadron on the 20th of May 1944.

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