Name
Owen Barnes
26 August 1892
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/09/1916
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
TF/5902
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
1st/8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 12D and 13B
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
St Katherine’s Church Memorial, Ickleford, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin Arlesey War Memorial, Beds
Pre War
Owen Barnes was born on 26 August 1892 in Arlesey, Beds, the son of Edward and Agnes Barnes (nee Hallworth) of Wilbury Farm, Arlesey. He was educated at Ickleford Public School.
In 1901 the family were living at Wilbury Farm, Arlesey, Beds. Present were both parents: Edward (36) and Agnes (36), with Edward working as a horse keeper on farm, as were his 2 eldest sons. Their children were: Ernest Noah (15), John (14), Annie (12), Thomas (10), Owen (8), Edith (6), George (4), Oscar W (3) and James who was just three months old.
By 1911 little had changed, the family were at the same address. Both parents were present, Edward and his two eldest sons were still horse keepers. The Edward and Agnes were recorded as married for 25 years with 13 children, of whom 4 had died. Of the above children only Annie was absent, Owen was now 18 and was working as a farm labourer. A new sibling was Richard (5)
Officially he was recorded as born and living in Arlesey when he enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
Owen enlisted at Bedford and joined the Middlesex Territorials on 8 March 1916. He was also listed as 1st/8th Battalion, (Duke of Cambridge's) Middlesex Regiment.
He was sent to France on 8 July 1916 and was killed in action on or after 11 September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme.
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Additional Information
Owen is included on the Ickleford memorial in St Ketherine’s Church which he is likely to have attended. He does not appear on any other Hitchin memorial apart from the St Mary’s Church Roll of Honour book, which was produced in 2014, and the reason for his inclusion is not clarified and no direct connection to Hitchin was found during the HAW research.
After his death £3 12s 2d pay owing was authorised to go to Edward, his father, on 17 December 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £3 was authorised to be paid to him on 17 October 1919.
His pension cards record Agnes Barnes as his mother and as his dependant, living at Wilbury Farm, Arlesey, Beds. There are no pension details recorded
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer
