Ronald Guy Holmes was born at Port Elizabeth in South Africa in 1897 and lived with his mother, Ange (Amye) Palk, and step father, Walter Angel Palk, a meat salesman, at "Colwyn", 16 Crave Park, Surbiton.

He was awarded Honours at Shrewsbury House Preparatory School in 1911. Attended Aldenham after SHS.

He arrived in France on the 21st of July 1917. He was reported missing on the 25th of March 1918; a POW repatriated on the 18th of December 1918.

Ronald emigrated to Queensland, Australia, with his family after the war.