Frederick Robert Holmes
Fredrick Robert. Holmes (c1835-1906) of Holmes and Sons
1851 Living at Globe Lane, Norwich: John Holmes (age 53 born Baddingham, Suffolk), Merchant. With his wife Rebecca L. Holmes (age 50 born Hotham, Suffolk) and their three sons; James Holmes (age 22 born Norwich); George T. Holmes (age 19 born Norwich); and Fredrick R. Holmes (age 16 born Norwich). Two servants.[1]
1906 August. Death.[2]
We regret to have to death has taken place of Mr. Frederick Robert Holmes, of Norwich, a well known expert in agricultural machinery, and one of the surviving members of a once prosperous and well known firm of agricultural engineers.
The deceased gentleman was the youngest of the three sons of Mr. John Holmes, who in the Twenties of the last century founded an engineering business on Scole's Green, which came to be widely known throughout the Eastern Counties under the title of Holmes and Sons. All three of the sons — James, George, and Frederick - were concerned in it. Mr. James Holmes died some five years ago, and Mr. G. T Holmes, well-known in Norwich by reason of the admirable service he rendered to the municipality for many years as a member of the Town Council, is now the sole survivor. Mr. Frederick Holmes was more particularly engaged in the engine and fitting shop.
Since Holmes Limited, ceased to carry on business he had been trying with characteristic energy to revive the engineering connection which he and his brothers had been administering before the flotation of the company. For four years be carried on business in a small way at Prospect Works and was enjoying an increasing measure of success.
Unhappily his health had begun to fail. About twelve months ago he suffered a sharp attack of bronchitis, and on recovering from that found he had weakness of the heart. About six weeks ago had a serious relapse. He died at his house in Globe Lane.
Apart from his business, Mr. Holmes was not widely known, but he was a zealous Churchman, and as will seen below from the warm tribute paid to his memory by Minor Canon Koblich, was for thirty-five years a churchwarden of St. Michael-at-Thorn. He leaves two daughters - Miss Holmes and Mrs. Kant, wife of a former rector of All Saints'. Norwich.'