The passing of British Historian Richard Holmes

Very sad news. The War Walks Series was superb. From the very first moments of the first episode (Agincourt) the haunting sounds of a Medieval chant, I was captivated. I’ve watched them over and again since.
RIP Richard. A gentleman and a scholar.

is it in dvd? i still have my vhs copies after all these years!

Very sad news. The War Walks Series was superb. From the very first moments of the first episode (Agincourt) the haunting sounds of a Medieval chant, I was captivated. I’ve watched them over and again since.
RIP Richard. A gentleman and a scholar.

Only last November I had the honour of having a brief chat with him over drinks and nibbles at Aldershot library where he was handing out the prizes for the Hampshire Library Services Military Book Awards (our “Fly Navy: View from a Jungly Cockpit” won People’s Choice Award 😀 ). That was the first time he’d been out and about for some time having had some form of blood poisoning which had very nearly proved fatal, but he said he as on the road to recovery and was in good spirits, looking forward to a new TV history series he was involved in which was due for airing this year (perhaps he managed to complete filming?).

A thoroughly nice bloke, and a sad loss.

I have just completed reading his book about the redcoat army in the 17th and 18th century and it almost took you there.

It was sheer reading pleasure, and one I can heartily recommend.

May we all enjoy seeing and reading his work in future years.

bri

Didn’t know him, except as a member of his audience, and he was a a great presenter; he gave an inspirational overview of ‘Overlord’ prior to my TA Battalion’s (6LI now merged of course) Normandy battlefield tour and he was very informative, energetic and entertaining.

See what the people at ARRSE say of him. Why so soon, such a good bloke. RIP, Sir a fine Life’s work done.

Soggy

RIP

He was definitely an inspiration and a sad loss indeed

Agree with all the above. A sad loss.

Moggy

How marvellous that he should have inspired you to what you have succeeded in now! I am sure he would be quietly delighted, if he knew.

re;

gutted, thats all i can say. He took my interest in history from school boy level to the passion that it is now – I entertain thousands every year through living history, and teach kids.

Richard Holmes

Simply; the best.

Very sad news. An eminent historian with a unique ability to present a story.

Thankfully he leaves a great legacy. His TV series will endure and his book “Tommy” is one of the best descriptions of a soldier’s life in the trenches of WW1.

I endorse everything posted here. I relished his programmes, presented with great knowledge and genuine enthusiasm but with few of the gimmicks so often associated with this type of programme. A very sad loss indeed.

Sad news, a very engaging historian and from what I’ve been told a jolly nice chap

TT

Having done some work with Richard, I concur in everyone’s sadness at his passing. A great historian who will be much missed.

A great historian who made sure that he presented his subject matter in such a way that even the layman could understand it. He also made the common soldier the focal point of his presentation where possible. He will be sadly missed.

Very sad, his enthusiasm/passion for history always shone through and his ability to put it across on TV in a non boring way was unique.
From the Observer obituary “described as an irreplaceable historian who had a magical way with words.”

Quite a shock, his presenting style was always a good balance and easy to take in, he will be missed

Horrible, dreadful news. War Walks was a superb series, a fitting legacy to this outstanding historian.

Rest In Peace.

Do you remember War Walks? A good series with good info. One day I got a call from BBC Bristol asking if I knew anywhere where they could get some footage of World War One French aeroplanes. Well, that bit was easy and ae arranged to meet at La Ferte Alais to film a segment on the programme about Verdun.

Richard Holmes did the interviews in fluent French and we, in the Memorial Flight, were happy to run up the Morane AI and anything else they wanted. Afterwards various BBC personages and Memorial Flight people were in our World War One bar drinking champagne and having a chat and I was standing next to Richard. There was some small talk about what had happened during the day but somehow we ended up in the middle of a Monty Python sketch. I can’t remember which one it was but we had it word for word as if it was the most natural thing going.

He was not only a very, very good historian, he was also a very very naughty boy,

I looked forward to working with him again, sadly not to be but I enjoy the memories.

In the words of a rather chiched TV character, he was a bloody nice bloke

Very sad news