Major General William Holmes CMG, DSO, VD (12 September 1862 – 2 July 1917) was a senior Australian Army officer during the First World War.

[2] In 1872 at the age of 10 Holmes joined the 1st Infantry Regiment of the New South Wales Military Forces as a bugler and served in every enlisted rank.

The company, initially commanded by Captain James Gordon Legge, left for South Africa in November 1899, with Holmes being promoted to lieutenant a month later,[3] and on arrival was incorporated in the Australian Regiment.

Holmes was mentioned in despatches, promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel, and awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO).

[5][6] Shortly after war broke out, a special expeditionary force, the AN&MEF, was formed to occupy German possessions in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

[1][2] Holmes was criticised in Australia for offering extremely lenient terms, but he was under orders to occupy, not annex, German New Guinea.

[2] On 16 March 1915, Holmes was appointed to the Australian Imperial Force as commander of the newly formed 5th Brigade with the rank of colonel.

The brigade was placed at the disposal of Major General Alexander Godley of the New Zealand and Australian Division and elements participated in the fighting for Hill 60.

When Major General James Legge fell ill in November and was evacuated, Holmes took over acting command of the 2nd Division.

[1] On 31 March 1917, he paid a daylight visit to an outpost near Lagnicourt, as usual wearing his red hat band, accompanied by his aide, Lieutenant Fergusson.

As they set out on foot, a German shell, believed to be a seventy-seven, or a "pip-squeak" landed nearby and Holmes was hit through the chest and lung.