Louis Gordon Holmes

Louis Holmes was born on 7 July 1892 in Launceston, Tasmania, the son of Louis Saengar Holmes (1859-1926) and Lucy Mary Holmes (-1935), née Newton [1].

He was educated at Scotch College, Launceston and Wesley College, Melbourne Victoria, where he gained his blue for football and rowing .   He also attended the University of Melbourne, where he had a successful athletic career, being a prominent member of the rowing and football teams. [2]

He played for the St Kilda Football Club in 1910. [3]

He attended the University of Adelaide from 1913, studying for a diploma in Commerce.  While at the University of Adelaide he was on the rowing team and a member of the Adelaide University Football Club (A Grade and Intervarsity Captain, 1914).  He also rowed in the South Australian crew. [4]

Shortly before the outbreak of the Great War he commenced studying for a military career.  He received his first commission as a 2nd Lieutenant (provisionally) in the 79th (Torrens) Infantry on 16 February 1913 and was promoted to rank of Lieutenant in the same regiment on 16 July 1914 and held this commission at the time of joining the AIF. 

He was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the 10th Battalion at Morphettville on 19 August 1914 and was posted to original F Company.

He embarked per HMAT A11 Ascanius on 20 October 1914.

On 1 February 1915 at Mena, Egypt he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and attached to 3rd Brigade Headquarters as permanent Orderly Officer to Colonel E G Sinclair-MacLagan.  Whilst holding this position he had much to do with Major Brand, Brigade Major of the 3rd Brigade, and other  Staff Officers. 

Attacked and died of wounds at Gallipoli on 23 June 1915. [5]