Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Ambrose Holmes, a blast furnace worker, born 1874 in Emberton, Buckinghamshire and his wife Eliza Holmes (nee Littlewood, married on the 13th October 1898 in the Parish Church, Asfordby), born 1866 in Asfordby, Leicestershire. Ernest Ambrose was born on the 31st July 1899 in Asfordby and was baptised on the 3rd September 1899 in the Parish Church, Asfordby, he had one sibling, Miriam Gertrude, born 3rd January 1901 in Asfordby and baptised on the 3rd March 1901 in the Parish Church, Asfordby, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, Asfordby. In April 1911 Ernest was a schoolboy and was residing in the family home at Asfordby, together with his father, a blast furnace worker, his mother and siblings, Miriam, a schoolgirl, Albert Edward, born 26th July 1902 and baptised on the 7th September 1902 in the Parish Church, Asfordby, John James, born 28th May 1904 and baptised on the 3rd July 1904 in the Parish Church, Asfordby and William Henry, born 1909 and baptised on the 5th September 1909 in the Parish Church, Asfordby, the latter three siblings were all born in Asfordby.
Ernest had previously served with the 13th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment, he died whilst a Prisoner of War in Crossen, Germany, he was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
On Friday July 19th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. The following local names have appeared in the official casualty lists published during the past week: - From Wednesday’s list: - Missing. – Yorkshire Regt. – Homes, 48430 E. A. (Asfordby).
On Friday December 20th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ASFORDBY.” – PRISONER OF WAR’S DEATH. – We regret to report that Pte. Ernest Ambrose Holmes, 1st/5th Yorkshire Regt., whose parents live in New-street, Asfordby, has died whilst a prisoner in the hands of the Germans. The official notification to the effect that he died in hospital at Crossen, Germany, on the 13th September, was dated the 10th December, but since receipt of this letter Mr. and Mrs. Holmes have received a letter from the British Help Committee, Prisoners of War Camp, Crossen, dated the 17th September. Pte. Holmes had previously been reported prisoner, unwounded, and the news that he had died whilst in the hands of the enemy has come as a considerable shock to his parents, with whom the deepest sympathy is felt.