James Holmes was born on 26 April 1836 at Hammersmith, London, to William Holmes, a hairdresser, and Martha Holmes nee Scott. Martha died from consumption on 16 July 1843 at High Street, Notting Hill, London, aged 41. James' siblings were William (born 1825), Henry (1827), Martha (1829), Frederick (1831), Caroline (1834) and Alexander (1837 or 1838). James was an errand boy, aged 14, living with his father William, sister Martha, brother Alexander and aunt at 31 Silver Street, Kensington, London on 30 March 1851 when the census was taken.

James enlisted in 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own) Regiment on 25 May 1854 at London, his occupation listed as a labourer, and received service number 1674. James was awarded the Turkish Crimea Medal (Sardinian) 1854-56 (Sebastopol clasp) for his service in the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own) Regiment in the Crimean War, although he arrived in the Crimea after his regiment participated in the Charge of the Light Brigade (October 1854). This medal would not have been issued inscribed which would have been done privately later. However, James transferred to the 8th Hussars (King's Royal Irish) Regiment on 13 September 1857 and received service number 102. This suggests why his Turkish Crimea Medal (Sardinian) 1854-56 is inscribed “102 James Holmes 8th Hussars”.

The 8th Hussars (King's Royal Irish) Regiment left for India in October 1857 to help suppress the Indian Mutiny. For his service in this conflict James was awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal, 1857-1859 (Central India clasp).

The 8th Hussars (King's Royal Irish) Regiment returned to England from India in May 1864, and after two years was posted to Ireland. James was discharged from the regiment on 24 May 1866 at Aldershot because his time had expired (12 years). He signed a declaration on 13 June 1866 wherein he described himself as “late of the Eighth Regiment of Hussars and now residing at number 5 Wilmot Grove Bethnal Green Road”. It appears that this type of testimony regarding evidence of age was usually made to enable the declarant to join the British Civil Service or to receive a pension. James, however, with his rank or profession listed as “soldier”, died from “phthisis” (tuberculosis or something similar) on 18 March 1867 in the Grove Hall Lunatic Asylum, Bow, London, aged 30. Apparently many of the residents of Grove Hall at this time were mentally ill ex-soldiers, so the declaration may have been made to enable James to receive a pension and/or to enter the asylum.

It is not yet known whether James Holmes had a wife or children. How his Turkish Crimea Medal (Sardinian) 1854-56 found its way to Auckland will probably always remain a mystery!