Horace Holden was parachute jump trained at RAF Ringway on Course 86. This course ran between 4 and 19 October 1943. His jump instructor noted this about his performance:

"Quiet and reliable. Worked extremely well"

After successfully passing this course he was posted to the 225 Para Field Ambulance RAMC. 

Horace was wounded in operations in the Normandy campaign on 6 June 1944.