Name/Title
87th Battalion CEF (Canadian Grenadier Guards) - Embroidered Stich Weave by the family of Guardsman (late Reverend) Oliver Wilfred Holmes 838305 - One of three examples known to existDescription
*** NOT PART OF CGG COLLECTION - FOR ARCHIVE PURPOSES ONLY ***
CGG TRIBUTES ACROSS CANADA
The legacy of Guardsman Oliver Wilfred Holmes, 87th Bn CGG
Earlier this year, a post was shared of a Canadian Grenadier Guards 87th Battalion Tribute housed at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6 in Owen Sound Ontario. It contained a superb WW1 family art example which included badges and a wonderful hand embroidered CGG 14-point “Grenade Fired Proper” needle point (probably made by a family member.) The Curator of the Legion Museum (Moe Boire) was kind enough to open the display and locate the CGG / 87th Bn soldier who donated the artifacts.
As recognition for celebrating CGG and our soldiers, a Brass Plate recognizing GDSM Oliver Holmes will be donated to the Owen Sound Branch #6 Royal Canadian Legion.
ABOUT THE CGG SOLDIER
Pte Oliver Wilfred Holmes (Regt’l # 838305) was born on April 16th, 1897 in Owen Sound, Ontario and enlisted with the 147th Battalion CEF. At the very beginning of 1916. After arriving in the UK, Pte Holmes was trained as a 2nd Class signaler. He, along several other members of the 147th were transferred to the 87th Bn on July 17th, 1917, where he was a Battalion Runner with us. He was severely wounded (GSW left foot) on March 16, 1918, during the last hundred days and was evacuated and discharged early back home to Canada: He survived the war to become a Reverend and lived in Owen Sound where he passed in 1973.
EXAMPLE #1 - [CGGM.2025.05.15.01] - Belonging to the HAYES-RIVET (MHR) TRUST COLLECTION
17-point 180-degree two tone yellow and gold Cap badge with red highlights framed on a black background in a wicker frame. Green and red Division Battle Patches flank each side (Battle patches were originally adopted in the summer of 1916 in time for Canadian participation in the Battle of the Somme. The patches were created as an aid to command and control of fighting troops in the battle line and extended later to other elements of the division. Originally placed on the back of tunics, just below the collar, the patches were quickly moved to uniform sleeves.)
EXAMPLE #2 - [SHOWN HERE] - Belonging to Royal Canadian Legion Branch #6 Owen Sound dedicated to 87th Bn Pte Holmes. It is a 14-point 87th battalion styled two tone yellow and brown embroidery cap badge with 'GRENADIER GUARDS' above and 'CANADA' at the base in a square frame attributed to the family of Guardsman (late Reverend) Oliver Wilfred Holmes 838305.
EXAMPLE #3 - [CGGM.2022.12.29.02] Part of the current CGG Museum (CGG Foundation) collection.
It is a 14-point 87th Battalion styled multi-tone red, white, yellow, brown, gold embroidered cap badge with no writing on a brown backing in a square frame.Created By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Create Date
May 26, 2022Updated By
Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.Update Date
May 17, 2025
