Painter, printmaker and teacher, born in Ipswich, Suffolk. Studied at Aberdeen School of Art, 1896–9, three years as a scholar at Herkomer School at Bushey, also in Paris and Florence. Holmes was a keen athlete, playing soccer for Dorset, cricket for Aberdeenshire, hockey for Hertfordshire and was a good middle- and long-distance runner. Was art master and a housemaster at Monmouth School, 1906–46, and was an Oxford University extension lecturer on art history, an occasional pungent remark showing that he was not in sympathy with every modern development. In 1930 with his wife, also an artist, Holmes formed the Wye Valley Arts Club (later Society). Exhibited RA, RCamA, RWA as an associate, Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool and Paris Salon.