We regret to record the death from wounds received in action of Sergeant Samuel J Holmes, who resided at Gavieside, West Calder. Sgt Holmes joined the Army as a private and by merit rose to the rank of sergant. He came safely through much of the heavy fighting, but his promising career was cut short by a piece of shrapnel. He was taken to hospital, where he succumbed, and the nurse sent home the sad news of his death. Previous to enlisting Sgt Holmes worked as a miner and was well-known in the district.

Midlothian Advertiser, November 10, 1916

In Memory of
S J HOLMES
Serjeant
3/10463
8th Bn., Norfolk Regiment
who died on
Monday, 23rd October 1916. Age 38.

Additional Information: Son of Fannie and the late Samuel Holmes, of Liscolman, Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, Ireland; husband of Elsie Grant Holmes, of 64, Gavieside, West Calder.

Commemorative Information

Cemetery:  WARLOY-BAILLON COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, Somme, France
Grave Reference/Panel Number:  VI. C. 4.

Historical Information: The first British burial took place in the Communal Cemetery in October, 1915, and the last on 1st July, 1916. By that date Field Ambulances had come to the village in readiness for the attack on the German front line, 8 kilometres away, and the Extension was begun. The fighting from July to November, 1916, on the northern part of the Somme front accounts for the majority of the burials.

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