1914-15 Star (PS - 8332 PTE. T. HOLMES. R.FUS.); British War Medal (8332 PTE. T. HOLMES. R.FUS.); Victory Medal (8332 PTE. T. HOLMES. R.FUS.); Coronation Medal 1937- unnamed as awarded.
8332/404347 Pte. Thomas Holmes. Born 16.4.1895. 32 Royal Fus/180 Tunnel Coy./A.S.C. To France 14.11.15. 2 x W.I.A. GSW to back, buttocks, thighs. With Tunnel Coy. to A.S.C. 11.1918. Chief Constable, Durham Constabulary.
Disembarked France 14.11.1915 with 32nd (Service) Battalion (East Ham) Royal Fusiliers. Formed in London on 18 October 1915 by the Mayor and Borough of East Ham the 32nd R.F. came under command of 124th Brigade, 41st Division. They moved with the Division to Italy in November 1917 but returned to France March 1918 and were disbanded in France on 18 March 1918.
Holmes was with 180 Tunnelling Coy. when admitted to 4 Stationery Hospital with Shell Wound. He was released to duty on 7.4.1916. 180th Tunnelling Company was engaged in constructing saps and trenches, in addition to much carrying work. In March 1918, the Company acted as emergency infantry, fighting a defensive action near Ronssoy before withdrawing to Hamelet. The Company did much work in Albert during the great advance to victory, repairing all kinds of works and removing unexploded charges and mines. They did the same in Epehy in November 1918.
Admitted to 18th General Hospital (England) on 1.10.1917 (according to the X-Ray Book) whilst with C Company, 32 Royal Fusiliers. Gun Shot Wound in the right back with the Doctor commenting that "the depth was not indicated". He was operated on to remove foreign objects in "both thighs and back" with Captain Koch, the Surgeon stating, "Tract on back partially laid open. Fb (foreign bodies) removed". Holmes was discharged to duty on 6.10.1917.
He was transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps with no. M/404347 on 18.10.1918 and was released to the Army Reserve on 8.2.1919. His address on his pension cards was 19 Old Elvet, Durham.
Holmes joined the Durham County Constabulary in 1920 and was a high flyer. After only 19 years service he was promoted from Inspector to Superintendent in charge of all Durham's C.I.D. cases. In November 1942 he applied for and was granted the position of Chief Constable, Durham Constabulary. It whilst an Inspector that he was awarded the 1937 Coronation Medal.
According to the 1939 Register he was a Detective Superintendent (Police) living at 5 Laburnum Avenue, Durham. He died in London on 3.11.1978.
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