Harry W. Holmes
Encyclopedia
Harry William Holmes OBE, (b. 1896 in London
; d. 8 November 1986 in London) was a board member and honorary president of the World Esperanto Association
(Universala Esperanto-Asocio, UEA). He served as a staff officer of the British
Ministry of Defence
with the military rank
of Brigadier and was awarded the Order of the British Empire
in 1955 in acknowledgment of services to Great Britain
. Holmes was also a Freemason.
He and his wife Nora Holmes (b. 1902, d. 14 May 1993) were for two decades among the most active members of the London Esperanto Club; he served as its president from 1933 until 1952. In this post, as in his editorship of Komuna kantlibro, a book of popular songs, his wife Nora assisted and collaborated with him to such a degree that he often spoke in terms of "our presidency."
In 1956 he was elected vice-president of the World Esperanto Association
, a post he retained until 1964. After the death of President Giorgio Canuto in 1960, Holmes was acting president until 1962, when Prof. Hideo Yagi was elected to succeed Professor Canuto. After Professor Yagi's death in 1964, Holmes again was briefly acting president. At the 49th World Esperanto Congress, in recognition of his tireless labour and meritorious service to the Association, he was unanimously elected as honorary president of the UEA, a position he occupied for a decade. In 1974, because of changes to the UEA Steering Committee (Estraro), he resigned the honorary presidency.
Harry Holmes's last work, Londono Vokas ("London Calling"), published in 1981, related the 75-year history of the London Esperanto Club.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
; d. 8 November 1986 in London) was a board member and honorary president of the World Esperanto Association
World Esperanto Association
The World Esperanto Association is the largest international organization of Esperanto speakers, with members in 121 countries and in official relations with the United Nations and UNESCO. In addition to individual members, 70 national Esperanto organizations are affiliated to UEA...
(Universala Esperanto-Asocio, UEA). He served as a staff officer of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
with the military rank
Military rank
Military rank is a system of hierarchical relationships in armed forces or civil institutions organized along military lines. Usually, uniforms denote the bearer's rank by particular insignia affixed to the uniforms...
of Brigadier and was awarded the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1955 in acknowledgment of services to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. Holmes was also a Freemason.
He and his wife Nora Holmes (b. 1902, d. 14 May 1993) were for two decades among the most active members of the London Esperanto Club; he served as its president from 1933 until 1952. In this post, as in his editorship of Komuna kantlibro, a book of popular songs, his wife Nora assisted and collaborated with him to such a degree that he often spoke in terms of "our presidency."
In 1956 he was elected vice-president of the World Esperanto Association
World Esperanto Association
The World Esperanto Association is the largest international organization of Esperanto speakers, with members in 121 countries and in official relations with the United Nations and UNESCO. In addition to individual members, 70 national Esperanto organizations are affiliated to UEA...
, a post he retained until 1964. After the death of President Giorgio Canuto in 1960, Holmes was acting president until 1962, when Prof. Hideo Yagi was elected to succeed Professor Canuto. After Professor Yagi's death in 1964, Holmes again was briefly acting president. At the 49th World Esperanto Congress, in recognition of his tireless labour and meritorious service to the Association, he was unanimously elected as honorary president of the UEA, a position he occupied for a decade. In 1974, because of changes to the UEA Steering Committee (Estraro), he resigned the honorary presidency.
Harry Holmes's last work, Londono Vokas ("London Calling"), published in 1981, related the 75-year history of the London Esperanto Club.