World War I Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a Private in the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, 2nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. On October 26, 1917, at Passchendaele, Belgium, his unit came under a surprise attack from German pill-box strong points which was causing heavy casualties. Private Holmes, on his own initiative ran forward, 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. For courageous actions in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross Medal. After the war, he became a pilot for the Harbor Commission in Toronto, Canada.
World War I Victoria Cross Medal Recipient. He served as a Private in the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles, 2nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. On October 26, 1917, at Passchendaele, Belgium, his unit came under a surprise attack from German pill-box strong points which was causing heavy casualties. Private Holmes, on his own initiative ran forward, 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. For courageous actions in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross Medal. After the war, he became a pilot for the Harbor Commission in Toronto, Canada.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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