[9][10] Holmes was educated at Oxford High School for Girls, and after leaving school worked briefly as a photographer before the outbreak of the First World War enabled her to start working at the Integral Propeller Company, Hendon, on the manufacture of wooden propellers.

[11] She then moved to Lincoln to work for the industrial engine manufacturer Ruston and Hornsby, where she started as a supervisor for 1,500 women employees.

[15] After graduating, Holmes spent a short time as a technical journalist in the United States,later becoming a freelance designer.

Together with Caroline Haslett and Claudia Parsons, Holmes was active in the Women's Engineering Society (WES), founded in 1919.

[20] A previous attempt to join in 1920 had been turned down, alongside seven male applicants, although the IME were at pains to explain that in Holmes' case it was "without prejudice on account of the Candidate's sex".

[32] Verena Holmes' birthday of 23 June coincides with International Women in Engineering Day[33] and she is commemorated as part of that celebration.

On 23 June 2022, the British Science Museum of London paid tribute to Verena Holmes for its 133rd birthday.

[35] The following year, on the same date, Southeastern railways named a Class 375 train (Unit 375829) in Holmes' honour in a ceremony held at Cannon Street station and attended by her great niece.