{{Short description|English cricketer (1924–1980)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}} {{Use British English|date=March 2016}} {{Infobox cricketer | name = Rodney Holmes | image = | fullname = John Rodney Reay Holmes | nickname = | birth_date = {{Birth date|1924|2|24|df=yes}} | birth_place = Hollington, Sussex, England | death_date = {{Death date and age|1980|2|3|1924|2|24|df=yes}} | death_place = Breuil-Cervinia, Aosta, Italy | heightft = | heightinch = | heightm = | batting = Right-handed | bowling = | role = Wicket-keeper | family = Jack Holmes (father) | club1 = Sussex | year1 = 1950–1951 | clubnumber1 = | columns = 1 | column1 = First-class | matches1 = 3 | runs1 = 41 | bat avg1 = 10.25 | 100s/50s1 = 0/0 | top score1 = 24 | hidedeliveries = true | catches/stumpings1 = 6/1 | date = 15 January | year = 2012 | source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/14917.html Cricinfo }}
'''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.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=36121 |date=1943-08-03 |supp=y |page=3531}}</ref> In April 1944 he received the temporary rank of Lieutenant,<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=36700 |date=1944-09-12 |supp=y |page=4256}}</ref> and in March 1946 he was granted the full rank of second lieutenant with seniority from 7 April 1945.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=37510 |date=1946-03-22 |supp=y |page=1526}}</ref> He was promoted to lieutenant in October 1946.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=37748 |date=1946-10-04 |supp=y |page=4982}}</ref> Holmes made his first-class debut for the Free Foresters against Oxford University in 1949.<ref name="FCM">{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/30/30342/First-Class_Matches.html|title=First-Class Matches played by Rodney Holmes|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=15 January 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref name="FCM"/> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/30/30342/30342.html|title=Player profile: Rodney Holmes|publisher=CricketArchive|accessdate=15 January 2012}}</ref>
In May 1951, Holmes gained the rank of Captain.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=39238 |date=1951-05-25 |supp=y |page=2930 }}</ref> He retired from service on 16 August 1954, upon which he was granted the honorary rank of Major.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=40254 |date=1954-08-13 |supp=y |page=4738 }}</ref> He died in an avalanche at Breuil-Cervinia in Italy on 3 February 1980,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/228576.html|title=Obituaries in 1980|work=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|accessdate=15 January 2012}}</ref> alongside three other British tourists.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=myJIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=84AMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4942,1149259&dq=avalanche+italy&hl=en|title=Avalanches Claim 7 In Alpines|date=6 February 1980|work=The Victoria Advocate|page=11|accessdate=15 January 2012}}</ref> His father, Jack, also played first-class cricket for Sussex.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/14917.html John Holmes] at ESPNcricinfo *[https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/30/30342/30342.html John Holmes] at CricketArchive
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holmes, Rodney}} Category:1924 births Category:1980 deaths Category:Military personnel from East Sussex Category:Cricketers from Hastings Category:People educated at Repton School Category:British Army personnel of World War II Category:Rifle Brigade officers Category:English cricketers Category:Free Foresters cricketers Category:Sussex cricketers Category:Deaths in avalanches Category:Natural disaster deaths in Italy Category:Wicket-keepers Category:20th-century English sportsmen