Name
William Arthur Barnes
11 April 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/04/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
40816
Suffolk Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TILLOY BRITISH CEMETERY, TILLOY-LES-MOFFLAINES
IV. C. 18.
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Hemel Hempstead Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Memorial, Hemel Hempstead, St John the Evangelist Church Memorial, Boxmoor, Marlowes Baptist Church, Marlowes, Not on the Berkhamsted Memorial
Pre War
William Arthur Barnes was born in Berkhamsted on 11 April 1892, the son of Thomas and Eliza Barnes and one of six children, although one died in infancy.
On the 1901 Census, although the rest of his family were living at 9 Alma Road, Hemel Hempstead, William was listed as staying as a visitor at the home of Philip and Sarah Reeve at 26 Alma Road, Hemel Hempstead. (Perhaps just visiting a friend when the enumerator called as he was a similar age to their daughter Elsie). When he left school in 1906 William started work with George Dean (who was lodging with Philip and Sarah Reeve) at his business at 134a Marlowes.
By 1911 the family had moved to 16 Cemetery Hill, Hemel Hempstead, at which time William was working as a Hairdresser's Assistant, an occupation which he continued and later set up his own hairdressing business at Marlowes. When he was called up to serve in the war, he closed the business to join the army. He was also a member of the Marlowes Baptist Church Choir.
Wartime Service
William went to Whitehall in London to enlist with London Regiment, (reg. no. 6361) in May 1916, but he was later transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment when he arrived in France which was probably late 1916 or early 1917.
He would have been in France for only a few months before he was killed in action on 11 April 1917 (his 25th birthday) during the Battle of Arras. He was one of 13 men from the 2nd Battalion who were killed in action on that day. He is buried in Tilloy British Cemetery, France.
Additional Information
His father received a £3 war gratuity and pay owing of £1 12s 6d. Probate was granted to his father Thomas Barnes in London on 29 September 1917 with effects of £162 6s 2d.
His mother is named as dependant on pension records and she received 6s 8d a week.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
www.dacorumheritage.org.uk, www.hemelatwar.org., www.hemelheroes.com.
