Rodney Holmes

John Rodney Reay Holmes (24 April 1924 – 3 February 1980) was an English cricketer. A right-handed batsman and wicket-keeper, he was born at Hollington, Sussex, and educated at Repton School. After leaving Repton, Holmes enlisted in 1943 as a war-substantive officer with the Rifle Brigade.^[1] In April 1944 he received the temporary rank of Lieutenant,^[2] and in March 1946 he was granted the full rank of second lieutenant with seniority from 7 April 1945.^[3] He was promoted to lieutenant in October 1946.^[4] Holmes made his first-class debut for the Free Foresters against Oxford University in 1949.^[5] He appeared for Sussex for the first time the following season, also against Oxford University. Competition for the wicket-keeping position from Jim Parks limited his opportunities, and he played only one further first-class match, in 1951, again at Oxford.^[5] All three of Holmes’s first-class matches were played at University Parks. In three innings he scored 41 runs at an average of 10.25, with a highest score of 24. As a wicket-keeper he took six catches and made one 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.