Thomas William Holmes, Canadian sergeant and pilot, Victoria Cross recipient (died 1950)

Thomas William Holmes
Thomas William Holmes VC was a soldier in the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), and was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and other Commonwealth forces, during the First World War. Only 19 years old at the time, Holmes is the youngest Canadian ever to win the Victoria Cross.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British Armed Forces and may be awarded posthumously. It was previously awarded to service personnel in the broader British Empire, with most successor independent nations now having established their own honours systems and no longer recommending British honours. It may be awarded to a person of any military rank in any service and to civilians under military command. No civilian has received the award since 1879. Since the first awards were presented by Queen Victoria in 1857, two thirds of all awards have been personally presented by the British monarch. The investitures are usually held at Buckingham Palace.