CANADIAN WAR MUSEUM ADDS VICTORIA CROSS

Tommy Holmes' Victoria Cross is now in the Canadian War Museum's care.

Holmes is one of three Victoria Cross winners celebrated in Owen Sound, along with Billy Bishop and David Currie. At 19 years, Holmes was one of the youngest Canadians to be awarded the Commonwealth's highest military honour for bravery.

The War Museum already displays the VCs of Bishop, the First World War flying ace, and Currie, the Second World War tank battle group commander. There are no immediate plans to display Holmes' medal, confirmed Eric Fernberg, a collections specialist at the War Museum.

But having the Holmes VC is important for posterity as well, he said.

Each story is of exceptional bravery, extraordinary circumstances . . . They represent the very best of the brave, he said. For many people, the VC symbolizes that ultimate commitment and sacrifice to military service.

The Billy Bishop Museum in Owen Sound displays replica Victoria Cross medals of its three war heroes.

It's really exciting that the Canadian War Museum has found a real Victoria Cross that was Tommy Holmes', said Emily Jolliffe, the Billy Bishop Museum's director and chief curator.

Holmes grew up in Owen Sound and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, as are Bishop and Currie.

To read the complete article, see:
Canadian War Museum has purchased Tommy Holmes' Victoria Cross (https://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/news/local-news/canadian-war-museum-has-purchased-tommy-holmes-victoria-cross)

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