Jim Holmes was born on 4th May, 1921 in Pontshill. He attended Weston School and in those days one could stay at school until leaving age, which he did.
From these simple beginings, this local man went on the be an exceptional person, a man of courage, strength and integrity, while still a warm human being of sensitivity, loyalty, love and conscience.

After school Jim went to work for the Edison Swann Cable Works in Lydbrook until the war intervened to alter the course of his life. First he joined the Home Guard, but then went on to become a full time soldier. He did not choose an ordinary path. He signed up as a Royal Marine, joining the 46 Commando, a tough unit.
He joined the invasion on D-Day and fought his way across europe until the relief of victory. He was a brave and resolute soldier, but the things he encoutered during that time haunted him for the rest of his days.
He is to be commended for having the grace to be troubled at these things. It was during his commando training at Achnacarry (near Fort William) that Jim met and fell in love with a local lass, Betty, and they married before the end of the war. Ted came along in September 1945 and Ken was born 14 months later.
After demobilisation Jim came back to live in Dancing Green with his young family, and became a miner in the forest.

He commuted to the Northern United Colliery at Cinderford, first on foot in all weathers - then by bicycle and then by motorcycle. Despite being buried twice, and breaking his leg once, he remained with the colliery until its closure in 1964.

Ted and Ken attended Weston School as he had done.
Jim then changed horse, Mining was finishing in the forest so he took advantage of a government retraining scheme and became a carpenter. He work for WF Giles a forest building firm and stayed with them until retirement. In both cases, as a miner and a building capenter Jim proved himself to be a hard working and loyal employee
Of course Jim never forgot his military years, and became an active member of the royal british legion.

Jim was an active sportsman. More specifically, a passionate footballer. He played for Weston. On one occasion he took to the field in a pair of shorts that had avoided being rinsed. It rained of course and Jim was enveloped in foam. He was subsequently sent off, presumably for being too clean. More seriously he suffered a broken leg (another one) as a result of a heavy tackle during a match against the Ewyas Harald.
Betty played her part by washing the team’s shirts. Even after his playing days, Jim served on the committee, such was his commitment to the sport and to the team.
During retirement Jim remained active for as long as he could, for instance in gardening. But orthopaedic problems arose. The setting of his broken legs had left something to be desired and he had to undergo leg straghtening procedures and a triple heart bypass. Feeling the need to restore his fitness he bought a mountain bike at the age of 83, with which he terrorised the peacocks at Bollitree until Ted coaxed it away from him for his own and the publics safety.

During his last years Jim devoted himslef to caring for Betty who was becoming infirm. His efforts reflected the deep love that existed for her and he spent himself unsparingly in her care.
Just a few weeks afterwards, Ken and Ted arranged for Betty to come and visit, Jim knew in his heart that it would be for the last time and was glad of the opportunity. He passed away shortly afterwards.

Jim Holmes was a remarkable man, he embodied the qualities of loyalty, love, courage and sensitivity which the world needs more of. He was a devoted husband and father and an active man, strong in mind and body, sociable, a team player, reliable and funny. He never lost sight of the things that mattered in life, and and he never lost sight of the God he served in his local church for many years. He leaves a rich legacy of memories and good examples. He will be sorely missed and long remembered.