Ervín Hoida

Ervín Hoida (30 November 1918 – 14 February 2024) was the last surviving Czechoslovak veteran of the Battle of France.

Ervín Hoida
Born	(1918-11-30)30 November 1918 Ostrava, Czechoslovakia
Died	14 February 2024(2024-02-14) (aged 105) Wirral, England
Allegiance	Czechoslovakia France United Kingdom
Rank	Major
Unit	Independent Armoured Brigade
Battles / wars	World War II Battle of France Siege of Dunkerque Operation Overlord Prague offensive
Awards	State Defense Cross Czechoslovak War Cross Medal of Merit

Biography

Hoida, born in Ostrava, was the youngest of three sons born to Jewish parents, Ferdinand and Frantiska (née Enochova). His journey began with woodworking studies at a college in Valašské Meziříčí, followed by an assistant manager position at the Schnitzer factory in Krnov in 1937. Concerned about the treatment of Jews in Germany, his father, a successful businessman, initiated plans to leave the country. With the occupation of Czechoslovakia, the parents sent their belongings to London and attempted to depart for Haifa, only to be redirected to Mauritius. Meanwhile, Hoida, his brothers, and their wives traveled to Italy on student passes. Hoida managed to navigate to France under cover of darkness, landing in Nice, and sought assistance from the Czechoslovak consulate.

In the summer of 1943, he underwent a tank driver's course and enlisted in the Foreign Legion in Sidi Bel Abbès, French Algeria. Later, he joined the 1st Infantry Regiment Czech Army, stationed for rear guard duty northeast of Paris. Forced to retreat, he swam across the river at Gien after a bridge on the Loire was destroyed. While his brothers remained in France, Hoida traveled to Gibraltar before reaching Liverpool, England, where he joined other 4,000 soldiers in the Czech Independent Armoured Brigade. During this time, he married Isabel Lucas who worked for the Auxiliary Territorial Service. Afterwards, his battalion's tanks were involved in the siege of Dunkerque before eventually reaching to Czechoslovakia's borders.

After returning to Ostrava with his wife, Hoida immigrated back to England to escape the communist regime. He worked as a draughtsman at Heaton Tabb, a Liverpool firm specializing in crafting interior furnishings for opulent ocean liners. Subsequently, he ascended to the role of executive director at Rackstraw, a company based in Worcester, renowned for its production of exquisite reproduction antique furniture, until his retirement in 1983. Following the death of his wife in 1997, with whom he had two sons, he left Malvern Hills and returned to Merseyside where he married Lena Binks in 2005. He also spent twelve years living in Spain before settling in Wirral. Hoida died on 14 February 2024, at the age of 105.