The following bullet points summarise a newspaper profile that appeared in 1960 and an entry in Who's Who in 1968:

• Born in Sligo.
• Father was a railway line inspector with Sligo, Leitrum and Norther Counties railways and later became Mayor of Enniskillen.
• When family moved to Enniskillen and Arthur worked in a grocery business.
• Later moved to Ballymoney to manage a wholesale grocery firm which later became a limited company - Robert Holmes Ltd. - in 1934.
• Firm was involved with foodstuffs for farm animals and established some experimental farms with Arthur was involved with.
• Believed that farming was the basis of a prosperous Ulster but had already seen how poorly some farmers lived.
• First became president of the Ulster Farmer's Union in 1946 and a new headquarters was opened during his year in office.
• Resigned over issues with the "remoteness" grant given to NI but was persuaded to stay on.
• Also involved with:
  • J.P., Antrim 1934,
  • Ulster Farmer's Union (president 1946-47, 1951-52, 1954-55, 1963-64),
  • Electricity Board (member since 1948),
  • Ulster Transport Association (member since 1953, chairman since 1963),
  • Pigs Marketing Board (member since 1958),
  • Northern Ireland Farmer's Bacon Company Ltd (director since 1958, chairman since 1963).
• Married with 4 children.
• Hobbies: fishing, shooting, reading.

Was awarded a knighthood in 1966 (see picture with wife and 2 of his children at Buckingham Palace).