The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

jrah60

Located within St. Ninian’s Episcopal Church, 1 Albert Drive, Glasgow G41 2PF

To the Glory of God and
In Loving Memory of

William Henry Holmes
2nd Lieut. 7th Seaforths
Born at Bowmore, Islay, 2nd June 1882
Killed in action, 15th Dec. 1917
At Gouzeaucourt, France where he lies

“Blessed are the pure in Heart”

HOLMES, W H
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Date of Death: 15/12/1917
Regiment/Service: Seaforth Highlanders 7th Bn.
Grave Reference IX. A. 17.
Cemetery GOUZEAUCOURT NEW BRITISH CEMETERY
Additional Information:

John

Adam Brown · Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2012 11:12 pm Post subject:

From the St Ninian's Congregation thread:

The 1901 census lists the Holmes family at 174 Calder Street with Agnes at the head of the family, described as “living on her own means”. She was originally from Glasgow, but her seven children were born in Bowmore on the island of Islay. Bowmore is the home of a famous single malt whisky, and it may be no coincidence that her son John was a “spirit salesman”. Of the three of her sons listed on the St. Ninian’s memorial, in 1901 George was a Law clerk, William 9confirmed at St. Ninian’s in 1904) a “clerk in bonded store”, while Islay (confirmed in 1906) was still at school (the census lists his name as “Hay” Holmes, the scribe not perhaps realising that he was named after his place of birth).
By 1915 the family had moved to 86 Dundrennan Road, Langside. By this time George had become a Newspaper Reporter and signed up as a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery (R.G.A.), serving with them in France. His Military Record shows that he was the victim of a gas attack and was registered at a hospital in Rouen. In 1919 he was discharged with a pension of 12/- (to be reviewed after 12 months) suffering from Gas Poisoning and Pneumonia, his degree of disablement declared to be 30%.
William was a vestry member at St. Ninian’s, who became a Second Lieutenant in the Seaforth Highlanders. He was killed in action at Gouzeaucourt in France, where he was buried.