Thomas Holmes was born in Stoke on Trent and emigrated with his wife Ethel to Canada. He left Montreal on 1 October 1915, arriving back in the UK on 11 October. He left a detailed description of the journey and arrival in the form of a letter to his wife and daughter, also Ethel. He underwent training in Hampshire before going to France as a Sapper. He was gassed, and died just 2 months before the end of the war. His wife and daughter returned to Britain and his widow subsequently married Thomas' brother.

1 October 1915 scandinavia. 11 October hampshire. 

Sherry Mitchell