HOLMES, WILLIAM, Captain, was born
in Sydney, Australia, 12 September 1862, son of William Holmes, Captain,
Staff, New South Wales Military Forces, and Jane Holmes. He was educated at
Public Schools in New South Wales, and by private tuition, and joined the
Australian Military Forces, as Second Lieutenant, in 1885. Captain Holmes
served in the South African War, as a Squadron Commander, 1899-1900; was
present at the Relief of Kimberley; the operations in the Orange Free State,
February to May 1900 (including operations at Paardeberg, 17 to 26
February); actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River (5 to 6 May) and
Zand River. Operations in the Transvaal in May and June, 1900, including
actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June).
Operations in the Transvaal, east and west of Pretoria, July to 29 November
1900, including actions at Riet Vlei and Zilikat's Nek. Operations in Cape
Colony, north of Orange River. Operations in Cape Colony 30 November to
December 1900. After being wounded at Diamond Hill, Captain Holmes was
invalided home. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 8 February
and 16 April, 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with five clasps, and was
created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19
April 1901]: "William Holmes, Captain, New South Wales Infantry. In
recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". On the
outbreak of the European War, Colonel Holmes — then commanding the 6th
Australian Infantry Brigade — was selected to command the Australian Naval
and Military Expeditionary Force which successfully occupied all the
possessions of Germany in the Pacific, south of the Equator, with the
exception of Samoa. He was then appointed Administrator of this occupied
German territory, which position he held for six months. On returning to
Sydney, he was appointed to command the 5th Australian Infantry Brigade,
Australian Imperial Force, and commanded this Brigade in Egypt, Gallipoli
and France, and commanded the 2nd Australian Division during the evacuation
of Gallipoli. He was created a CMG; promoted Major General, and was
appointed to the command of the 4th Division, Australian Imperial Force, on
1 January 1917. He was killed in action by shell-fire in France on 2 July
1917. He had received the Volunteer Decoration in 1905, and in 1916 the 2nd
Class Order of St Anne of Russia. Major General, Holmes was a keen
sportsman, and all his exercise was taken on horseback. He married, 24
August 1887, at St Matthias's Church, Paddington, New South Wales,
Australia, Susan Ellen, daughter of Henry Green, Lieutenant Reserve of
Officers, New South Wales, and they had two children: Dorothy Mabel, and
Basil (born, 11 September 1892; at the time of his father's death a Major in
the 17th Battalion Australian Imperial Force, and, like his father, a
Companion of the Distinguished Service Order).
