World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Bermondsey, London, he served as a Lance Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, British Army. On August 26, 1914, during the Battle of Le Cateau, France, Lance Corporal Holmes carried a badly wounded soldier under heavy fire out of the trenches on his back for two miles until he reached some stretcher bearers. He then returned to his battalion to find many killed or wounded and in danger of being captured by German forces. He placed a wounded man on one of the horses of an artillery gun team and attempted to take him to safety. Unfortunately the man fell off and was lost in the dark but he later helped to drive an artillery gun out of action by taking the place of a driver who was wounded. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was promoted Corporal and invested the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on January 15, 1915. He also later achieved the rank of Captain. After the war, he emigrated to Port Augusta, Australia where he live until his death at age 80.
World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Bermondsey, London, he served as a Lance Corporal in the 2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, British Army. On August 26, 1914, during the Battle of Le Cateau, France, Lance Corporal Holmes carried a badly wounded soldier under heavy fire out of the trenches on his back for two miles until he reached some stretcher bearers. He then returned to his battalion to find many killed or wounded and in danger of being captured by German forces. He placed a wounded man on one of the horses of an artillery gun team and attempted to take him to safety. Unfortunately the man fell off and was lost in the dark but he later helped to drive an artillery gun out of action by taking the place of a driver who was wounded. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was promoted Corporal and invested the Victoria Cross by King George V at Buckingham Palace on January 15, 1915. He also later achieved the rank of Captain. After the war, he emigrated to Port Augusta, Australia where he live until his death at age 80.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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