Thomas William Holmes
Encyclopedia
Thomas William Holmes VC
(October 14, 1898 - January 4, 1950) was a soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force
, and recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest military award for gallantry in the face of the enemy given to British and Commonwealth forces, during the First World War. Holmes is the youngest Canadian to ever win the Victoria Cross.
in the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, 2nd Battalion
, Canadian Expeditionary Force
during the First World War. On October 26, 1917 near Passchendaele
, Belgium
, he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross:
when the right flank of the Canadian attack was held up by heavy machine-gun fire from a pill-box strong point and heavy casualties were producing a critical situation, Private Holmes, on his own initiative and single-handed, ran forward and threw two bombs, killing and wounding the crews of two machine-guns. He then fetched another bomb and threw this into the entrance of the pill-box, causing the 19 occupants to surrender.
It was during the investiture at Buckingham Palace that Holmes admitted to King George V that he had lied about his age and joined the army at age 17.
After the war Holmes was a pilot for the Harbor Commission for fifteen years. In 1936 he and another officer saved the lives of three persons whose auxiliary cabin boat upset in the harbor. In 1935 his home was robbed and the Victory Cross was stolen. In 1942 Holmes narrowly escaped death when his launch exploded.
, Canada. His memorial service was attended by Victoria Cross holders Henry Howey Robson
, Colin Fraser Barron
and Walter Leigh Rayfield
.
Thomas Holmes VC medal is now on display at the Owen Sound Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(October 14, 1898 - January 4, 1950) was a soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
, and recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest military award for gallantry in the face of the enemy given to British and Commonwealth forces, during the First World War. Holmes is the youngest Canadian to ever win the Victoria Cross.
Biography
He was 19 years old, and a privatePrivate (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
in the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, 2nd Battalion
2nd (Eastern Ontario Regiment) Battalion, CEF
The 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force was created in response to the First World War. The battalion comprised local militia in many regions of Ontario . Men came from as far away as Sault Ste. Marie to join in Canada’s military endeavor...
, Canadian Expeditionary Force
Canadian Expeditionary Force
The Canadian Expeditionary Force was the designation of the field force created by Canada for service overseas in the First World War. Units of the C.E.F. were divided into field formation in France, where they were organized first into separate divisions and later joined together into a single...
during the First World War. On October 26, 1917 near Passchendaele
Passendale
Passendale or Passchendaele is a rural Belgian village in the Zonnebeke municipality of West Flanders province...
, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, he performed a deed for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross:
when the right flank of the Canadian attack was held up by heavy machine-gun fire from a pill-box strong point and heavy casualties were producing a critical situation, Private Holmes, on his own initiative and single-handed, ran forward and threw two bombs, killing and wounding the crews of two machine-guns. He then fetched another bomb and threw this into the entrance of the pill-box, causing the 19 occupants to surrender.
It was during the investiture at Buckingham Palace that Holmes admitted to King George V that he had lied about his age and joined the army at age 17.
After the war Holmes was a pilot for the Harbor Commission for fifteen years. In 1936 he and another officer saved the lives of three persons whose auxiliary cabin boat upset in the harbor. In 1935 his home was robbed and the Victory Cross was stolen. In 1942 Holmes narrowly escaped death when his launch exploded.
Further information
Died January 4, 1950. Grave/memorial at Buried at Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound, OntarioOwen Sound, Ontario
Owen Sound , the county seat of Grey County, is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada...
, Canada. His memorial service was attended by Victoria Cross holders Henry Howey Robson
Henry Howey Robson
Henry Howey Robson VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, Colin Fraser Barron
Colin Fraser Barron
Colin Fraser Barron VC was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
and Walter Leigh Rayfield
Walter Leigh Rayfield
Walter Leigh Rayfield VC was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Rayfield was one of seven Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions on...
.
Thomas Holmes VC medal is now on display at the Owen Sound Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6