Paul Holmes of
Lincolnshire, England past away April 14, 2024. He was the
son of Clifford and Hilda Elizabeth Holmes of Oldham,
Lancashire. He is survived by his mother, his wife Ann Price
Holmes of Lincolnshire, daughters Janine and Chelsea and 9
grandchildren.
Paul was raised in Gorton,
Manchester, England. At the age of 15 he entered the British
Army in the Junior Leaders program. In 1974 he past out of
the training program as a fully trained junior infantry
leader. When he was 18 years old his active military career
began. In 1984, after serving 12 years on active duty, Paul
transferred to the reserves. December 7, 2002 Paul was
commissioned a Warrant Officer in The King’s and Cheshire
Regiment.
Following his time in the
army Paul spent a career in
the
Emergency Response Service taking 999 calls in Gorton,
Manchester and Lincolnshire until his retirement on July 6, 2022.
Paul returned
to Manchester every year on Remembrance Sunday to show his respect for
and to honor his fallen comrades. Ann
continues the tradition in his absence.
Paul married Ann Price in 2007 and the
couple spent many holidays traveling abroad to places such
as Turkey, Spain and Australia. They then bought a caravan
and enjoyed
travel
holidays in the UK visiting destinations such
as St. Ives where they were lucky enough to see Prince
Charles. They regularly attended military regimental events
and other social gatherings.
A life long fitness buff, Paul was a marathon
cycler who thought nothing of cycling 50 miles in a training
session and was a keen member of his local Lincoln cycling
Club. He completed many big rides such as The Tour de
Yorkshire in 2019 in his words “A well earned medal from The
Tour de Yorkshire 2019. 78 miles, with plenty of hills and
pain”
Paul was a huge sports fan and was a big
fan of Manchester United,
He was not frightened to voice his opinion on social media
regarding the football score no matter who he upset, Paul
was no shrinking violet. He was also keen on taking
unflattering photos of anyone he could catch out at the time
especially Ann and post them to social media. Usually of
people who had fallen asleep. Ann got him back when she told
Paul she had to do a promotion for her nursing role, she
asked Paul to dress as a patient in a hospital
gown and used his picture as part of her project.
Paul lived his motto “Live for today, No
reruns!”
A celebration of Paul’s
life was held May 10, 2024 at Blackley Crematorium, Centre
Chapel, greater Manchester. His wife Ann delivered a
eulogy
describing Paul’s relationship with his family and the
wonderful exciting life they had together. Steve Haydock, a
long time military comrade in arms, then delivered a
tribute.
Paul’s wife
Ann
is the daughter of Leslie and Bridget Toland Price of
Manchester, England; granddaughter of
James and Catherine Murray
Toland of Lurgan,
Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland; great-granddaughter of
Patrick and Mary Tinneny Murray
of Derrykenny, Newtownbutler, Co. Fermanagh, Northern
Ireland; great-great-granddaughter of
Mary Tinneny
of Goladuff, Newtownbutler and the
great-great-great-granddaughter of Hugh Tinneny of Goladuff.
Note:
Accompanying
photos
courtesy of Kate Beavon.
