HOLMES, WILLIAM (1862-1917), soldier and civil servant, was born on 12 September 1862 in Sydney, son of Captain William Holmes, chief clerk at Headquarters, New South Wales Military Forces, who had come to Australia in 1845 as a private in the 11th Foot, and his Tasmanian-born wife Jane, daughter of Patrick Hackett, also from the 11th Foot. Young William lived in Victoria Barracks until his marriage and was educated at Paddington Public School and later at night school. Though he had always wanted to become a soldier his father considered that the New South Wales Public Service offered greater opportunities. After working at the Sydney Mint he joined the accounts branch of the Department of Public Works as a clerk on 24 June 1878. On 24 August 1887, at St Mathias Anglican Church, Paddington, he married Susan Ellen Green whose family also lived in Victoria Barracks. They had a son ...

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Australian Dictionary of Biography