Name
James George Matthew Barnes
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
266292
Tank Corps
4th Battalion
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
James George Matthew Barnes was born in the autumn of 1898 at Abbots Langley. He was one of six children born to James and Hannah Barnes, and was baptised Matthew Barnes and recorded in the 1911 Census as George Barnes. In the 1901 Census the family was recorded living at 63 Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley, and James (senior) worked as a Bricklayer/Labourer. In the 1911 Census the family continued to live at 63 Breakspeare Road, and by this time James (senior) was employed by the Urban District Council as a Road Labourer.
The Watford Observer’s Children’s Court Report of 17th February 1912, under the title “No Improvement” reported the case of James G.M. Barnes from Abbots Langley who had been summoned for disobeying a probation order.
“ William Mundin, Probation Officer, reported that on August 22nd last, the defendant was charged with stealing growing apples. He was placed under witness’s supervision for one year. On January 3rd it was alleged that he stole a puppy. He was forgiven, but on January 31st he stole two jars of marmalade from a local grocers. The father said that he had thrashed the boy well. The witness was afraid, however, that the father took little notice of the boys, and the mother went out to work. It was evident that the lad was exercising a very bad influence over other boys.
The mother said that the defendant admitted taking the puppy, but he was not guilty in regard to the jam, and had witnesses to prove it. The Bench inflicted a fine of 5 shillings.”
The National Roll of the Great War noted that James (junior) volunteered in December 1914 (when he would have been just 16 years old). He was recorded in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour for the first time in February 1915, serving with the Hertfordshire Territorials, and after he had completed his training he was sent to France later that year. The National Roll of Honour recorded that he fought in several important engagements, including those of Ypres, and the Somme. The Parish Magazine of August 1916 and the Hertfordshire Advertiser of 12th August 1916 both reported that James had been wounded – presumably during the Battle of the Somme. At this point he was serving with the 1st Battalion of the Hertfordshire Regiment. He continued serving with the Hertfordshire’s throughout 1917 and fought at the Battle of Arras. James may have already have joined the Tank Corps by the time of the Battle of Cambrai which took place in November 1917, as in the Parish Magazine of January 1918 he was listed serving with that unit. James was recorded in the Absent Voter Record of Spring 1919, serving with the 4th Battalion of the Tank Corps, and his address was given as 63 Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley. It was to this address that he returned when he was demobilised later in 1919.
James George Matthew Barnes survived the War, as did his brothers John and Frederick. His cousins Ernest John and William both survived the War and his uncle Ernest William also survived.
Additional Information
Formerly 4341, Hertfordshire Territorials; 1st Battalion Hertfordshire Regiment;
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
