George Thomas Barnes

George Thomas Barnes was born in 1896 at Selston, he was the son of George a coal miner hewer and Mary Barnes née White and the brother of Florence, Mabel, Eliza, Walter, Lily and Edith Barnes. George was born in 1868 at Pye Hill, Derbyshire, Mary White was born in 1867 at Walesby, they were married on 16th October 1889 at the parish church, Riddings, Derbyshire, they went on to have 8 children, sadly two died in infancy or early childhood. In 1911 the family lived at Holly Villas, Portland Road Selston and later at The Greyhound inn, Mansfield Woodhouse. In 1911 George was 43 yrs old and he was a coal miner hewer, he is living with his wife Mary 44 yrs and 3 of their children.

He was a colliery labourer.

The Greyhound Inn Mansfield Woodhouse.

Private George Barnes enlisted at Mansfield, he served with the 10th battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) George Thomas was killed by a sniper on 4 July 1916 in support of the attack on the German positions at Fricourt/Fricourt Wood, France, during the Battle of the Somme.and is buried in Sanctuary Wood. However, his grave was later lost and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France (Pier and Face 10 C 10 D and 11 A)

Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 10 August 1916: 'Mansfield Woodhouse Soldier's Last Wish. Oldest son of George Barnes of the Greyhound Inn. Killed by a sniper and buried at Sanctuary Wood. An extract from his last letter home was printed " I am going into action with a good heart, because I know I am fighting for the right, and I trust God will bring me through safe: but if anything happens to me I shall have done my duty and my last wish will be that every young man will come up to the mark to help the boys in this tumult and struggle" Article published in full:- “PTE. GEO. BARNES, WOODHOUSE, KILLED. “We have heard, with deep regret, of the death of Private George Thomas Barnes, eldest son of Mr. Geo. Barnes, of the Greyhound Inn, Mansfield Woodhouse, at the early age of 19 years. Private Barnes responded to his country's call immediately after the outbreak of the war and received training at Newcastle and Sunderland. He went out to France in May last, and was a particular favourite with his fellows. The first intimation of his death was in a letter from one of his comrades. Later the parents received confirmation of this from the Record Office, and in answer to a letter, Lieut. Greenwood, commanding the 10th Sherwoods, with which regiment Pte. Barnes was attached, wrote as follows:— “I received your letter this morning. I am answering it by return of post. I am very sorry indeed to have to tell you that your brother was killed by a German sniper, and is buried in Sanctuary Wood. I can assure you we all miss him very much indeed. He was in every sense of the word a true soldier, and a real friend. He has died as he would have wished, with his face to the enemy, and doing his duty nobly for his King and country. Mr heart grieves for you and your parents, and I trust God will give you strength to bear your sorrow, and if I can be of any more assistance to you, please command me, until then I have the honour to be, yours faithfully, H. Greenwood, Lieutenant.” “Private Barnes, who had a fine physique. must have had a presentiment of his fate just before his death, as the following extract from his last letter will show:— “I am going into action with a good heart because I know I am fighting for the right, and I trust God will bring me through safe; but if anything happens [to] me I shall have done my duty and my last wish will be that every young man will come up to the mark to help the boys in this tumult and struggle.” 'In memoriam' notice published 5th July 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post:- “BARNES. – In loving memory of our dear brother, Tom, killed in action July 5th, 1916. Two years have passed since that sad day, when God called our dear brother away; He took him home, it was his will, forget him, no, we never will. – Sisters Lill and Gert.” Above article are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918