Rodney Holmes

Rodney Holmes
Personal information
Full name
John Rodney Reay Holmes
Born(1924-02-24)24 February 1924
Hollington, Sussex, England
Died3 February 1980(1980-02-03) (aged 55)
Breuil-Cervinia, Aosta, Italy
BattingRight-handed
RoleWicket-keeper
RelationsJack Holmes (father)
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
1950–1951Sussex
Career statistics
Competition First-class
Matches 3
Runs scored 41
Batting average 10.25
100s/50s 0/0
Top score 24
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. ^ "No. 36121". The London Gazette (Supplement). 3 August 1943. p. 3531.
  2. ^ "No. 36700". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 September 1944. p. 4256.
  3. ^ "No. 37510". The London Gazette (Supplement). 22 March 1946. p. 1526.
  4. ^ "No. 37748". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 October 1946. p. 4982.
  5. ^ a b "First-Class Matches played by Rodney Holmes". CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Player profile: Rodney Holmes". CricketArchive. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  7. ^ "No. 39238". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 May 1951. p. 2930.
  8. ^ "No. 40254". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 August 1954. p. 4738.
  9. ^ "Obituaries in 1980". Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 15 January 2012.
  10. ^ "Avalanches Claim 7 In Alpines". The Victoria Advocate. 6 February 1980. p. 11. Retrieved 15 January 2012.