Rodney Holmes

Rodney Holmes

Personal information
Full name	John Rodney Reay Holmes
Born	24 February 1924 Hollington, Sussex, England
Died	3 February 1980 (aged 55) Breuil-Cervinia, Aosta, Italy
Batting style	Right-handed
Role	Wicket-keeper
Relations	Jack Holmes (father)
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1950–1951	Sussex
Career statistics
Competition First-class Matches 3 Runs scored 41 Batting average 10.25 100s/50s –/– Top score 24 Balls bowled – Wickets – Bowling average – 5 wickets in innings – 10 wickets in match – Best bowling – Catches/stumpings 6/1
Source: Cricinfo, 15 January 2012

John Rodney Reay Holmes (24 April 1924 – 3 February 1980) was an English cricketer. Holmes was a right-handed batsman who fielded as a wicket-keeper. He was born at Hollington, Sussex, and educated at Repton School.

After leaving Repton School, Holmes enlisted as a war sub in the war effort with the Rifle Brigade in 1943.^[1] In April 1944, he gained the temporary rank of Lieutenant,^[2] while following the war he was granted the full rank of 2nd Lieutenant in March 1946, with seniority back to 7 April 1945.^[3] In October 1946, Holmes was granted the rank of Lieutenant.^[4] Holmes later made his first-class debut for the Free Foresters against Oxford University in 1949.^[5] The following season he made his first-class debut for Sussex against Oxford University. The presence of Jim Parks in the Sussex squad limited Holmes to just one further first-class appearance, in 1951 against Oxford University.^[5] All three of his first-class appearances came at Oxford University's University Parks. He scored 41 runs in his three innings, which came at an average of 10.25, with a high score of 24. Behind the stumps he took 6 catches and made a single stumping.^[6]

In May 1951, Holmes gained the rank of Captain.^[7] He retired from service on 16 August 1954, upon which he was granted the honorary rank of Major.^[8] He died in an avalanche at Breuil-Cervinia in Italy on 3 February 1980,^[9] alongside three other British tourists.^[10] His father, Jack, also played first-class cricket for Sussex.

References

1. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36121. p. 3531. 1943-08-03. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
2. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36700. p. 4256. 1944-09-12. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
3. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 37510. p. 1526. 1946-03-22. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
4. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 37748. p. 4982. 1946-10-04. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
5. "First-Class Matches played by Rodney Holmes". CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
6. "Player profile: Rodney Holmes". CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
7. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 39238. p. 2930. 1951-05-25. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
8. The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 40254. p. 4738. 1954-08-13. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
9. "Obituaries in 1980". Wisden Cricketer's Almanack. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
10. "Avalanches Claim 7 In Alpines". The Victoria Advocate. 6 February 1980. p. 11. Retrieved 15 January 2012.

External links

• John Holmes at ESPNcricinfo
• John Holmes at CricketArchive