march 1957 Norman starts his 2 years National service , in royal signals as wireless operator
.In 1957 private Holden was enlisted to do his national service as an engineer in the royal signals as a wireless operator and he completed his parachute training doing 12 jumps to save up extra money for his engagement ring, being discharged in 1959 to 12/13 parachute regiment TA, as a lance corporal, I would like to quote from Norman’s discharge papers.
“Holden is a steady, reliable person not a born leader but has been a success as an NCO owing to his hard work and reliability, he is an experienced parachutist” ……..