Lieut. Ponsonby Holmes

This fresh-faced young officer set against a sunset sky is Lieutenant Ponsonby Ross Holmes. He wears the uniform of the Royal Marines complete with a white cross belt, gold epaulettes and the Baltic Medal with its distinctive yellow and blue ribbon. The Baltic Medal was awarded in 1856 for operations against Russia during the Crimean War. This portrait was in all likelihood commissioned to mark that achievement.

Born in Co. Louth, Ireland in 1838, Holmes was just 13 when his military father, Col. Stephen Holmes, died. This prompted the family to leave Ireland for a new home in England. Holmes subsequently enlisted with the Royal Marines in 1854 rising steadily through the ranks and retiring as Major General. He was in his mid-forties when he married Clara Burnell Nixey and with her had four children. Holmes died in Eastbourne in 1892; his tombstone engraved –

Ponsonby Ross Holmes late Commandant Royal Marine Light Infantry Chatham Division died at Milnthorp Meads Eastbourne
14 Nov 1892 aged 54

The artist’s signature – R. S. Bennett – is scratched along the rim at 8 o’clock. Based in London, Bennett exhibited at the Royal Academy between 1845 and 1848. The portrait is set in a hallmarked silver frame that is glazed on the reverse to show cream silk.

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