Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private J. W. Holmes, Royal Irish Rifles, who was killed in action on the Western Front on the first day of the German Spring Offensive on 21 March 1918

1914-15 Star (5949 Pte. J. W. Holmes. R. Ir: Rif:); British War and Victory Medals (5949 Pte. J. W. Holmes. R. Ir. Rif.); Memorial Plaque (John William Holmes) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll, ‘Rifleman John William Holmes, Royal Irish Rifles’, in OHMS scroll holder addressed to ‘Mrs. Kate Holmes, 3 Livingstone Rd, Battersea, London’, minor spots of verdigris to plaque, otherwise nearly extremely fine (5) £240-£280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Great War Casualties.

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Provenance: Acquired by the vendor directly from the recipient’s family.

John William Holmes was born in Battersea, London, and attested there for the Royal Irish Rifles. He served with the 16th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 December 1915, and was posted missing, presumed killed in action, on 21 March 1918, the first day of the German Spring Offensive. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial.

Sold with the named Record Office enclosures for the 1914-15 Star and British War and Victory Medal; original official notification of death; and copied research.