Holmes was the son of Thomas Holmes of Kilmallock, co. Limerick and joined the Army. He was appointed Captain of Hurst Castle on the Isle of Wight in 1683. In March 1687 he was a lieutenant in a company of Grenadiers, and in November 1687 became lieutenant in the 8th Foot. He was a captain in 1689 and Major in 1692. In 1692, his uncle, Sir Robert Holmes of Thorley, left him his estates, provided he married Sir Robert's illegitimate daughter, Mary. Holmes married this Mary Holmes within 18 months and left the army.
Career
In 1695 Holmes lost the governorship of Hurst Castle after opposing the governor of the Isle of Wight Lord Cutts. However, he was returned as Member of Parliament for Yarmouth on his own interest at a by election on 2 April 1695 and followed up being returned in a contest at the 1695 English general election. His dispute with Lord Cutts continued in the House of Commons, as he accused Cutts of discharging militia officers in Yarmouth who had voted against Holmes' rival, Cutts' brother-in-law John Acton. He refused to sign the Association, and in March 1696 voted against fixing the price of guineas at 22 shillings. In 1697, the House had to intervene to prevent a duel between Holmes and Lord Cutts. At the 1698 English general election, with the dispute with Cutts resolved, Holmes was returned unopposed as MP for Yarmouth. He was returned unopposed at the two general elections of 1701 as a Tory. In 1702, Holmes was restored to his post as governor of Hurst Castle, and he was returned unopposed again at the 1702 English general election. He was relatively inactive, but voted for the Tack on 28 November 1704. At the 1705 English general election, he was returned unopposed again and voted against the Court candidate for Speaker on 25 October 1705. He was returned as a Tory at the 1708 British general election and voted against the impeachment of Dr Sacheverell in 1710. At the 1710 British general election, he was returned again for Yarmouth as a Tory, and with the change of Administration was appointed Lieutenant-Governor of the Isle of Wight in 1710. He was listed as a 'worthy patriot' who helped detect the mismanagements of the previous ministry in 1711. He was returned again as a Tory at the 1713 British general election but lost his post as lieutenant-governor on the Hanoverian succession. He was returned at a contest at the 1715 British general election, and voted against the septennial bill in 1716, but was unseated on petition on 12 April 1717.
Death and legacy
Holmes died on 23 June 1738, having had, with his wife, eight sons and eight daughters. His sons Thomas and Henry both sat for Parliament for Isle of Wight constituencies.
