Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914

VERNON RAINS HOLMES

2 April 1893 - 14 October 1916

At School 1907 - 1910

Lieut 6th Cheshire Regt

Vernon was born in Young, New South Wales, Australia but by 1901 the family had returned to England and Vernon, aged 7, was living at Westfields, Middlewich, Sandbach, Cheshire with father Arthur, a clothing manufacturer, mother Hannah, elder sisters Caroline and Hazel, elder brothers Arthur and Henry, younger brothers Frank and John, younger sisters Dorothy and Evelyn and two domestic servants. John was also a Hulmeian and unfortunately also killed during the war. By 1911 the family had moved to 29 Manley Road, Whalley Range and Vernon, was working as a clerk in his father's firm.

At School Vernon took a Senior Secondary School Scholarship in 1908 and matriculated at Manchester University in 1909. He played for the School in football and cricket, being a member of the first football team for two years and afterwards playing for the Old Hulmeians football team. On leaving School he joined his father's firm and was at the time of his death a director of Holmes & Co. On the outbreak of war he joined the Manchester University OTC and received his commission on 5th October 1914. He went to the Western Front in January 1915 joining the 1/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, who at this time were in trenches at Wulverghem, some 15 miles east of Hazebrouk, where they stayed until the end of February.

In March 1915 the Battalion was transferred to General Headquarters based in St Omer and spent the next 10 months on guard and other duties at Rouen, Abbeville and Dieppe.

During this time Vernon was promoted to Lieutenant in October 1915.

Following their tour of duty with GHQ the Battalion transferred to the 118th Brigade, 39th Division in

February 1916, and marched down to the Bethune area. After a period of training they moved into trenches at Laventie (north east of Bethune) at the beginning of April. The Battalion war diary reported that on 5th May 1916 Lieut Holmes was sent to hospital sick, and rejoined from hospital on 24th May. The Battalion remained in trenches and in reserve in the Bethune area until August, when they moved south to the Thiepval area. On 5th October the Battalion was in billets in Martinsart Wood, moving into trenches in the Thiepval left sector on the 10th, three Companies in the front lines and one in reserve. The three front line Companies were engaged consolidating and digging assembly trenches and communication trenches. Enemy artillery was active, hindering digging and causing casualties amongst the men.

On 14th October the Battalion took part in an attack on the Schwaben Redoubt by the 37th Division. The Battalion was in Reserve but two platoons were sent to reinforce the Cambridgeshire Regiment, three officers and 11 other ranks being killed, 62 wounded and 3 missing. All objectives were attained. During the night the enemy counter-attacked but were easily repulsed.

Vernon was one of the officers killed and his body was recovered and buried in Lonsdale Cemetery, Authuille, in square 1 of the map above just to the north of the wood south east of Authuille village.

His actual grave is unknown and he is commemorated by a special memorial near the Cross of Sacrifice.

Probate was granted on 3 January 1917 to Arthur Edmund Holmes wholesale clothier. Effects £347 8s. 4d.

THE HULMEIAN - December 1916

Lieutenant VERNON R HOLMES, M C, Cheshire Regiment was killed in action on October 14^th. He came to the School in April 1907 and left three years later. He acted till recently as battalion intelligence officer, and was awarded the M C early in October; at the same time he was given a company, of which he was in command at the time of his death. His colonel writes “I cannot speak too highly of him during my position as his commanding officer. His conduct has always been of the highest order, and nothing ever gave me greater pleasure than to recommend him for his last award. He will be greatly missed by all ranks of the battalion, amongst whom he has gained the greatest respect.” The Military Cross was awarded to him for “conspicuous gallantry during operations. He led a patrol through the enemy’s wire and brought back valuable information. Two nights later, having marked down some wounded, he took out a party and brought in 13.” Four of his brothers (two Old Hulmeians) are serving in the war.

Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914 - 1919