MB CM Edin 1875, MD 1877.
Holmes studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. He was resident assistant physician at Wye House Lunatic Asylum, Buxton, and honorary medical officer at the Mothers' Welcome, Bury. He then went to Overdale Asylum where he held positions as visiting physician and medical superintendent. Holmes practised in Bury and was medical referee for the Royal National Hospital for Consumption in Ventnor and was certifying factory surgeon for Radcliffe from 1879. Holmes was president of the Association of Certifying Surgeons and of the Manchester Medico-Ethical Society. He was also vice president of the Lancashire and Cheshire Branch of the BMA. Holmes died on 5 January 1930 aged seventy six.