Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID # |
1962.055.005 |
Object Name |
Pin, Promotional |
Title |
Lapel Button Commemorating Tommy Holmes |
Lexicon category |
8: Communication Artifact |
Date |
1919? |
Year Range from |
1917 |
Year Range to |
1919 |
Place of Origin |
Unknown |
Description |
This is a small, round, lapel button that pictures Victoria Cross winner Tommy Holmes, as he looked c. 1917-1919. It shows a head and shoulders image of Holmes, with "TOMMY HOLMES V.C." printed above in curving fashion. |
Provenance |
Thomas William Holmes was born in Montreal on Oct. 14, 1898. His parents were John Holmes and Edith Scarffe Holmes (who previously lived at Owen Sound, Ontario). In 1903, the Holmes family moved back to Owen Sound, and lived at 390 9th St. East. "Tommy" lied about his age when he enlisted in 1915 with the 147th Grey Overseas Battalion. In England, he was drafted to the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (4th CMR), along with some other fellows from this area. On Oct. 26, 1917, he single-handedly took out a German machine gun pillbox, and won the Victoria Cross for his valour. Tommy Holmes returned to Owen Sound by train on April 14, 1919, to a hero's welcome. He later lived in Toronto and died there on Jan. 4, 1950. The last owner, Wilbur Lusk, resided at Owen Sound, Ontario. |
Collection |
Military, 20th-c Collection |
Material |
Metal/Celluloid?/Ink |
Dimensions |
D-0.079 Dia-1.024 inches |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
Holmes, Tommy Lusk, Wilbur |
Subjects |
World War I (First World War/The Great War) |
Search Terms |
147th Grey Battalion 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles Regiment |
Function |
An item that honours a "Great War" soldier hero from Owen Sound, Ontario, who won the Victoria Cross in the First World War. It would be worn on one's lapel. |