Michael Harry Hyde Holdway was the son of Captain Harold Blake Holdway and Angela Holdway, of West Parley, Dorsetshire.Lieutenant Holdway successfully completed his parachute training at Ringway on 14 August 1945.

He was posted to 249 Field Company, Royal Engineers. He was then transferred to H.Q. Royal Engineers, 6 Airborne Division.

Lt Holdway was killed whilst attempting to defuse a mine near Haifa on 15 May 1947. He is now buried in Khayat Beach War Cemetery, Israel.