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Auction: 24113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 454

(x) Seven: Able Seaman J. W. Holmes, Royal Navy, who was killed in action aboard the H.M.S. Courageous when she was sunk by a German U-Boat on 17 September 1939 - the first British warship to be sunk in the Second World War

1914-15 Star (J.14092, J. W. Holmes, A.B.,R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.14092 J. W. Holmes. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (J.14902 J. W. Holmes. A.B. H.M.S. Durban.), mounted court-style for display, some polished and with contact marks and pitting, some minor edge knocks, good fine and better (7)

John William Holmes was born in Birkenhead, Cheshire on 8 February 1895. He was working as an apprentice engine turner prior to enlisting with the Royal Navy on 8 September 1911, being first posted to the H.M.S. Ganges as a Boy 2nd Class. He was still with her the next year on 12 March when he was rated Boy 1st Class, before joining H.M.S. Inflexible from 13 March until 6 July 1912. Holmes served on a number of ships prior to the outbreak of the First World War, during which time in 1914 he was aboard H.M.S. Roxburgh - with whom he had been advanced Ordinary Seaman the year before. He continued to serve with her and was promoted Able Seaman on 14 January 1915. Holmes was then posted to H.M.S. Vivid I from 20 August 1916 until joining H.M.S. Defiance a few months later on 19 November. In February of the new year, he was stationed with H.M.S. Lochinvar from 21 February until rejoining Vivid I on 26 November 1917. He was with her until 10 October 1918, after which time Holmes served the remainder of the Great War aboard H.M.S. Blake Walker. He did not leave her until 8 December 1920, after which time he was stationed with a number of ships. Holmes was awarded his L.S. & G.C. while aboard H.M.S. Durban on 17 June 1926. He continued to serve until he was shore pensioned on 8 February 1935, after an impressive 24-year career with the Royal Navy.

With the onset of the Second World War, Holmes rejoined the Royal Navy. He was posted to the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Courageous on 31 July 1939. Courageous was employed in anti-submarine operations off the southern coast of western Ireland. There, at 2000 hours on 17 September 1939, Courageous was hit by two torpedoes fired from the German U-boat U-29. The ship capsized and sank within twenty minutes of being hit, and Holmes was one of 518 men who lost their lives in the disaster. Courageous thus became the first British warship during World War II to be sunk in an enemy action. Holmes is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial; sold together with copied research as well as original condolence slip.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£200

Starting price
£180