Edgar Herbert Hollyer

He called artillery onto his own trenches to stop a Chinese assault

Edgar Herbert Hollyer, MC, CD

On the night of 2–3 May 1953, Second Lieutenant Edgar Herbert Hollyer made an extraordinary decision during the Battle of Hill 187 in Korea. With Chinese troops inside his defensive trenches, the Canadian officer called artillery fire directly onto his own position to prevent his platoon from being overrun.

Hollyer commanded No. 7 Platoon, C Company, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (3 RCR). His soldiers had occupied their forward position for thirteen days, enduring repeated artillery and mortar bombardments that severely damaged their defences. Despite the danger, Hollyer maintained morale and encouraged his men to repair trenches and strengthen their fortifications.

On the evening of 2 May, Canadian fighting patrols encountered Chinese troops near the defensive wire and minefields. Lieutenant Gerard Balfour Meynell’s patrol suffered heavy casualties, while a second patrol commanded by Lieutenant D. W. Banton was ambushed. Banton was killed, and the survivors struggled back towards Canadian lines.

These engagements preceded a coordinated Chinese attack against C Company’s positions.

A heavy bombardment struck the Canadian defences before Chinese assault troops penetrated the trenches. No. 7 Platoon bore the brunt of the attack.

Hollyer remained at his command post, directing the defence and fighting off enemy soldiers with grenades. As the position was overrun, he requested artillery fire onto his own trenches. Canadian guns fired proximity-fused shells to break up the attacking force, despite the danger to the defenders.

Communications were disrupted during the bombardment, but Hollyer remained at his post until the immediate assault was repelled.

He then moved through the damaged position to assess his surviving men, encountering further enemy resistance. After re-establishing communications with battalion headquarters, he received permission to withdraw the survivors to No. 8 Platoon’s position.

From there, Hollyer helped direct parties sent forward to recover casualties.

The battle cost 3 RCR 26 killed, 27 wounded and seven captured. The Chinese attack was ultimately repelled, and the damaged Canadian position was subsequently reoccupied.

For his leadership, determination and skill under fire, Hollyer received the Military Cross, announced in the Canada Gazette on 4 July 1953. Lieutenant Laurie George Cote also received the Military Cross for his actions during the defence.

Hollyer’s military career extended well beyond Korea. He had served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Second World War, joined the Canadian Army in 1945 and received his commission in 1951. Following Korea, he served with the Canadian Guards and subsequently worked in military intelligence and security, eventually retiring as a lieutenant-colonel.

The Battle of Hill 187 was the last major Canadian battle of the Korean War, fought less than three months before the armistice of 27 July 1953.

Edgar Herbert Hollyer’s courage remains an enduring example of Canadian leadership under fire, when the survival of his soldiers demanded a decision of extraordinary personal risk.