Name
Ernest William Barnes
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
78750
Employment Company
466th Home Service
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Ernest William Barnes was born in the spring of 1879 at Abbots Langley. He was one of nine children born to Matthew and Jane Barnes. In 1881 the family lived in Adrian Road. Matthew was listed in the Census working as a Labourer. By 1901 the family had moved to Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley, and by then Ernest was employed as a General Labourer. In the 1911 Census the family was listed still living in Breakspeare Road, and Ernest worked as a Carman in a coal business.
Ernest attested on 9th September 1914, and at his medical he was declared fit for army service. He was posted to the 8th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment on 12th September. He was first recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour in October 1914, serving with the Bedfordshire Regiment. However Ernest was Discharged Physically Unfit for War Service on 14th November 1914, and from December 1914 to June 1917 was not recorded in the Parish Roll of Honour.
On 3rd May 1917 Ernest enlisted at Watford with No 210 Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps. He gave his occupation as Engine Attendant. The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour recommenced recording Ernest’s name in June 1917. It was noted that he was serving with the “Scotch Rifles”. This coincided with Ernest being posted to the 403rd Agricultural Company, based at Blairgowrie in Scotland, on 30th June 1917. Ernest remained in Scotland and on 5th February 1918 he was posted to 321st A.S Works Company and was sent to Perth.
On 22nd July 1918 Ernest undertook a Medical at Fort Matilda, at Greenock on the River Clyde estuary. The Medical Report noted that Ernest had fractured the first, second and third fingers of his right hand, working with a Bean Crushing Machine at Watford early in 1916. The fingers were subsequently amputated. The Report concluded that this was not caused by War Service and recommended that Ernest be “Discharged Permanently Unfit for War Service”. On 29th July 1918 The Standing Invaliding Medical Board recommended Discharge, and on 19th August 1918 Ernest was discharged to 2 Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley. On 21st August he was awarded a pension of 8/3d per week, payable until 4th March 1919.
Despite being Discharged Disabled, it appeared that Ernest re-enlisted once again, as he was recorded in the Absent Voter Records of Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919, this time serving as a Private with the 466th Home Service Employment Company.
Ernest William Barnes survived the War, as did his nephews Ernest John, William, James, Frederick and John Barnes.
Additional Information
Formerly service numer 16651, 8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment; 403rd Agricultural Company; 321st Works Company; No 210 Protection Company Royal Defence Corps.
Discharged Disabled.
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
