Alfred Ernest Holmes
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Alfred was born in 1883 at St Anns, Nottingham, son of Arthur Holmes a police pensioner and Sarah Jane Holmes née Allis of 147 Dame Agnes Street, Nottingham. His father Arthur was born in 1852 at Ashover, Derbyshire, his mother Sarah Jane Alliss was born in 1851 at Audley, Staffordshire, she died on 28th December 1917, they were married in 1892 at Lincoln, they had the following children George Robinson b1880, May Bella b1882, Alfred Ernest b1883, Arthur b1885 and Hetty b1886 all were born in Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family are living at 147 Dames Agnes Street, Nottingham and are shown as Arthur 59 yrs a police pensioner, he is living with his wife Sarah Jane 60 yrs and their children, George Robinson 30 yrs a musician, May Bella 29 yrs a sewing machinist, and Hetty 25 yrs a machinist. In the same 1911 census Alfred Ernest has left the family home and is serving in the Army, he is shown as being with 2nd battalion Sherwood Foresters (no 6590)at their barracks at Crowhill, Devon, he is 27 yrs of age.. Alfred Ernest married his wife Lillie Rebecca Harvey on the 17th September 1913 at the Holy Trinity Church, St Budeaux, Plymouth, Devon.
Company Sergeant Major Alfred Ernest Holmes originally joined the Derbyshire Regiment on 9th May 1900 in Derby at which time he gave his age as 18yrs and 3 months and that his occupation was that of a cabinet maker. In the 1911 Census he is shown as being with 2nd battalion Sherwood Foresters (no 6590)at their barracks at Crowhill, Devon, he is 27 yrs of age. He obviously met a local girl in Devon because on the 17th September 1913 he married Lillie Rebecca Harvey at the Holy Trinity Church, St Budeaux, Plymouth, Devon. He was later transferred to the North Staffordshire Regiment, probably as an experienced soldier to boost their recruits and on 22nd July 1917 was promoted to company sergeant major. During the majority of August, 1918, the 7th Battalion the North Staffordshire Regiment were in the line near Baku in southern Turkey, Baku is situated on the east coast of Azerbaijan on the Caspian Sea. They were in a trench system known as “Dirty Volcano” and on the 26th of August, it was attacked by Turkish troops during this battle he was killed in action. His name is commemorated on the Baku memorial, Azerbaijan
Death notice published 18th September 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “HOLMES. – Killed in action, August 26th, C.S.M. A. E. Holmes (late Arnold Drill Hall, Notts.), beloved son of ex-P.c. Holmes. Duty nobly done. – Sorrowing father, sisters, and brothers.” In memoriam published 26th August 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- HOLMES. – In loving memory of my dearest husband, Alfred Ernest, C.S.M., Sherwood Foresters (attd. North Staffords.), killed in action at Baku, August 26th, 1918. Also Sarah Jane Holmes, mother of the above, who passed away Dec. 28th, 1917, after much suffering. Sweet memories never fade. – Loving wife and daughter-in-law Lill. “HOLMES. – In loving memory of my dear son, C.S.M. Alfred Ernest, killed in action at Baku, August 26th, 1918. – From father, brothers, and sister.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
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