George Barnett
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George was the son of Thomas Barnett and his first wife Clara Jane (née Lambert). His father Thomas was born in Nottingham on 20 May 1871 (A/M/J Radford), the son of John Barnett and his wife Elizabeth (née Cox). He was baptised at Nottingham St John on 30 July 1871. His mother Clara Jane was born in Arnold in 1874, the daughter of Thomas Lambert, a coal miner, and his wife Elizabeth (née Watson) of Front Street, Arnold. She was baptised at Arnold St Mary on 15 November 1874. Thomas and Clara Jane were married at Sneinton St Luke on 25 September 1892 (J/A/S Nottingham) and had at least four children: George b. 1895 (A/M/J Nottingham), John b. 1897 (O/N/D Nottingham) d. 1898 (J/F/M Nottingham), Elizabeth b. 1899 (A/M/J Nottingham) and John b. 1902 (A/M/J Nottingham). In 1901 Thomas, a lace dresser, and Clara (26) were living at 20 Ebenezer Square, Nottingham, with their two surviving children, George (5) and Elizabeth (2). Their fourth child, John, was born the following year. Clara died in January 1907 (J/F/M Nottingham) aged 32. Thomas married secondly Maud Smedley in 1910 (A/M/J Nottingham) and they had at least four children: Gladys b. 1910 (J/A/S Nottingham) d. 1929 (J/F/M Nottingham), Fred b. 4 May 1912, Ethel b. 18 May 1914 and Maud b. 8 July 1921. They may have had four more daughters; the birth registrations give the mother's maiden name as Smedley: Alice b. 1916 (O/N/D Nottingham), Hilda b. 1919 (A/M/J Nottingham), Mabel b. 1924 (J/F/M Nottingham) d. 1927 (J/F/M Nottingham) and Joyce b. 1926 (O/N/D Nottingham). In 1911 Thomas, a lace finisher, and Maud (37), were living at 18 Guys Terrace, Blue Bell Hill, Nottingham, with Thomas' three children, George, a labourer (bottling firm), Elizabeth and John (9) and their daughter Gladys (9 months). At the time of George's death in January 1917 the family was still living 18 Guys Terrace, Nottingham. George was engaged to Kate of Salisbury Street, Nottingham, and according to an 'In Memoriam' notice published in the local paper in 1917, he had a son, George. Thomas and Maud later moved to 85 Seymour Street, Nottingham, and this was still the family home in 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Thomas was described on the Register as disabled. In the home with their parents were Fred, Ethel and Maud; the records of three other members of the household remain closed. Thomas Barnett died on 22 September 1952 (J/A/S Nottingham).
Private George Barnett, 1/7th Battalion (Robin Hood Rifles), Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) was killed in action 31st January 1917. He was buried in Foncquevillers Military Cemetery (grave ref. III.C.5).
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour', 23 and 24 February 1917: ‘Barnett. Killed in action January 31st 1917 Bomber (sic) George Barnett, Sherwood Foresters, age 21. Too far away thy grave to see, but not too far to think of thee. Sadly missed by father, mother, sisters, brothers and fiancée Kate.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 9 & 10 May 1917: ‘Barnett. Killed in action, January 31st, Bombdr George Barnett, 18, Guy’s-terrace, Blue Bell-hill. Gone but not forgotten by his loving and only son, George.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 31 January 1919: ‘Barnett. In affectionate remembrance of Pte G Barnett, Robin Hoods, killed in action January 31st, 1917. Always remembered. Fiancee Kate, Salisbury-st.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 'In Memoriam' (abridged), 30 January 1919: 'Barnett. Private G Barnett, 1/7th Robin Hoods, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action January 1917. Father, mother, brothers, sisters, 85 Seymour Street, Nottingham.' WW1 Pension Ledgers Index Cards: names his father Thomas and stepmother Maud. Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother (sic), Maud Barnett, was named as his sole legatee.
