Herbert HOLMES

14 December 1917

HOLMES – Killed in action in France, Pte. Herbert Holmes, of the King’s Liverpool Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. Holmes, of Moor View, Hazlewood.

14 December 1917

HAZLEWOOD SOLDIER KILLED

News has been received by Mr. and Mrs. Harry Holmes, of Moor View, Hazlewood, that their eldest son, Gunner G.A. Holmes, R.G.A., is in hospital in France with sprains, and that their second son, Pte. H. Holmes, King’s Liverpool Regiment, has been found dead on the field of battle in France. Gunner Holmes, prior to joining the forces in July 1916, was employed by the postal authorities, formerly as postman for the Hazlewood-with-Storiths district of Bolton Abbey, and latterly up to his enlistment at Leeds.

Pte. Herbert Holmes, up to the time of enlisting in February, 1917, was in the employ of Mr. Dennis Roberts, draper, Doncaster. He joined the East Surrey Regiment, went to France on Sept. 14th, 1917, and was transferred to the King’s Liverpool Regiment while there. His wife, who lives at Doncaster, was notified on Nov. 4th that he was missing, and on Saturday last the sad news arrived that he had been found dead.

Pte. Holmes was of a genial disposition and of very smart appearance, and had an exemplary character. He was 36 years of age, and leaves a wife and two children. This makes the fifth Bolton Abbey boy to die in action. Pte. Sam Holmes (third son), West Yorks., is serving in England in a labour battalion on agricultural work.

28 December 1917

BEAMSLEY

MEMORIAL SERVICE – A service to the memory of Pte. F. [H.] Holmes, whose death was reported in our issue of Dec. 14th, was held in the Beamsley Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday last, and was conducted by Mr. Ellis Hartley, of Addingham. Special hymns were sung, and at the close the ‘Dead March’ in ‘Saul’ was played by Mr. W. Read, the chapel organist. The relatives present were Mr. H. Holmes (father), Mrs. G. A. Holmes (sister-in-law), Miss B. Moorhouse (cousin), and Master Stanley Holmes (nephew).

08 November 1918

In loving memory of our dear son, Private Herbert Holmes, killed in action Nov. 4th, 1917.

Far away from his home and loved ones,
Laid to rest in a far off land;
‘Tis only those who have lost can tell
The pain of parting without a farewell.

– From his sorrowing Mother, Father, and Brother Tom. Moor View, Bolton Abbey.

In loving memory of our dear brother, Pte. Herbert Holmes, who fell in action Nov. 4th, 1917.

So sharp and sudden was the call
Of our dear brother, loved by all.
From memory’s page we will never blot
Three little words – forget him not.

– Arthur and Ada.

06 December 1918

Bolton Abbey and the War

The ecclesiastical parish of Bolton Abbey, which includes Beamsley, Barden, Bolton Abbey, Halton East & Hazlewood with Storiths, has worked with untiring energy and zeal since the commencement of the war. The following amounts have been raised for War Charities:– By collections in the Abbey church, £38 2s. 11d; by collections in Beamsley Wesleyan Chapel, £12 8s. 1½d; by collections in Barden Church, £3s. 3d [£3 3s]; by the Bolton Abbey working party, £385: by concert, arranged by Mrs. Herbert Carr £18 18s.; making a grand total of £459 15s. 3½d.

The roll of honour contains 97 names; eleven have given their lives in the great cause. These are:– Sylvester Hartley, John Fawcett, Basil Newall, Gill Morell, Herbert Holmes, George Binns, John Thomas Ideson, John Mitchell, William Mitchell, William Johnson and James Atkins. Two are at present prisoners in Germany, Dixon Robinson, Allan Hudson; three have been discharged as unfit, Alex Nelson, Norman Nelson, Frank Higgins; and one presumed killed but not definitely notified, Sec. Lieutenant C. Boothman, R.F.C. Each Christmas the lads from Bolton Abbey have received a parcel, and the greatest credit is due to the committee and Mrs. Downs, who has been secretary, for their labour of love.