Arthur Edward Barnes
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur Edward Barnes was born in September 1881 the son of William Henry a tobacconist and Emma Barnes (née Siddall) of 14 Newton Street, Beeston. His father was born in 1844 at Chorley, Lancashire and his mother Emma Siddall was born in 1853 at Stretford, Lancashire. Married on 6th October 1869 at Stretford, Lancashire, they had children, seven surviving infancy. Arthur Edward married Sarah Ann Cooper in 1902 in Beeston and went on to have the following children, Beatrice born 28th May 1903, William Henry born 7th august 1904, Joseph Frederick born 11th February 1908, Charles Edgar born 13th March 1912 and Florence Hilda born 18th June 1914. They lived at 13 Upper Eldon Street, Nottingham. Following his Arthur's death his widow as granted a pension of 33 shillings and 3 pence a week for herself and five children which commenced on 14th January 1918.
Arthur Edward Barnes joined the Robin Hood Rifles in May 1910 and on August 13th 1914 was enrolled for foreign service. He embarked from Southampton on 28th February 1915 and served until 30th July 1915 when he was wounded in action, a shell wound to his left foot. He was admitted to 26th General Hospital at Etaples where he was treated and made a recovery. He return to his duties on 5th September 1915. He was transfreed to the Royal Engineers on 7th April 1917 and is buried in Henin Communal Cemetery Extension Grave Reference: 2 B 11
Beeston Gazette: 'The sons of Mr Barnes, who resides at Newton Street, Beeston, have done noble service in the great war. One has laid down his life and the other, by his gallantry under shell fire, has won the Military Medal. Pioneer Arthur Edward Barnes, of 13 Regent Street, Beeston, attended the Church Street School, and was a member of the Boys Brigade and was employed at the Beeston Foundry. He joined the Robin Hood Rifles in may 1910, and on August 13, 1914 he enrolled for foreign service, eventually being transferred to the Royal Engineers. On August 1, 1915, Arthur was wounded at Hooge, while nearly two years later he was killed in action. He was 36 years of age, and leaves a widow and six children to mourn the loss of a devoted husband. Writing to the widow on July 1, Lieut. G. B. Howarth states that Pioneer Barnes was standing with a friend at the door of a dug-out when a single shell, without warning, burst at his feet, killing both instantly. It is impossible to say how we feel for his loss, for in his long connection with this group, he has won the friendship of us all by the cheerfulness with which he undertook the toughest jobs, and by his eagerness to help his comrades. His colleagues in the group have asked that they may be allowed to show the esteem in which he was held by making a small subscription. I trust that you will have no objection to this mark of admiration.'
