Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Barnes a grocer’s warehouseman, born 1858 in Islington, Middlesex and his wife Rhoda Jane Barnes (nee Standage, married on the 4th October 1884 in All Saints Church, Nottingham), born 1864 in Notting Hill, Middlesex. James Henry was born on the 25th April 1889 in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, he had one sibling, a sister Florence, a schoolgirl, born 1888 in Castle Donington, in April 1891 the family home was at Church Lane, Castle Donington. In March 1901 James was residing in the family home at Bondgate, Castle Donington, together with his father a chemist’s traveller, his mother and siblings, Florence, Oscar Harold, born 1895, Wilfred, born 1897 and Christina, born 1899, the latter three siblings were all born in Castle Donington. In April 1911 James was absent from the family home at Church Lane, Castle Donington, residing there was his father, a grocer’s traveller, his mother and siblings, Oscar, a frame worker and Christina, a schoolgirl, James was serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment) and was stationed at Gough Barracks, Trimulgherry, Deccan, India.
James attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve on the 13th January 1909 in Nottingham. He gave his place of birth as Castle Donington, Leicestershire, his age as 19 years and 9 months and his trade or calling as motor engineer. He confirmed that he was unmarried, and also that he was presently serving with the 4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Territorial Force. He gave his father James, mother Rhoda and brother’s Wilfred and Harold of Church Lane, Castle Donington, near Derby, Leicestershire as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 8¾ inches in height, weighed 122 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had blue eyes. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for Army service by Lieutenant A. O. Dunne, R.A.M.C (T.F.) on the 13th January 1909 in Nottingham. His record of service contains a questionnaire sent to his previous employer, James Walter Morris, a cycle maker of 111a, London Road, Leicester and was dated January 14th 1909, the contents being in question and answer format and reveal the following insight into James’ working background:-
How long have you known him? Answer: 2½ years.
Has he ever been employed by you? Answer: Yes, twice.
If so please state-
The capacity in which you employed him. Answer: First as an apprentice, afterwards as an assistant.
How long was he in your employment. Answer: 12 months & 3 months.
The approximate date of his leaving your employment. Answer: September last.
The reason for his leaving. Answer: Slackness of trade.
If he has not been employed by you, do you know, or have you heard, whether he has been in any employment? If so, please state the name and address of his employer. Answer: He was employed by H. Huddleston, Cycle Maker, South Wigston, Leicestershire, and as far as I am aware, he left through no defect.
As to his character do you know whether he is-
Sober? Answer: Yes.
Honest? Answer: Yes.
Can you give any further information as to his character? Answer: No.
His record of service began when he joined the 2nd Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) at Fermoy, Ireland as a Private, service number 11076 on the 17/1/09. Awarded the 3rd Class Army Certificate of Education on the 25/3/09. Posted to the 1st Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derby Regiment on the 7/10/09. Admitted to hospital in Bangalore, India suffering from tonsillitis on the 23/11/09 – 3/12/09. Posted to the 8th Divisional Cyclist Company on the 7/10/14. On the 7/11/14 he was charged with the offence of: At Le Havre on the 7/11/14. “Losing by neglect 5 rounds of S.A.A. (small arms ammunition) ball, point 300.” Witness Sergeant Beaumont. The punishment awarded by Captain Heath, was to pay for the deficiency. Appointed Paid Lance Corporal, In the Field on the 11/11/14. Transferred (Authy. 121/411 (A.G.2.B.) of 8/1/15 to the Army Cyclist Corps on the 8/1/15. Killed in action on the 9/3/15. A summary of his service records, Home Service, 13/1/09 – 6/10/09, 267 days. India, 7/10/09 – 2/10/14, 4 years 361 days. Home Service, 3/10/14 – 4/11/14, 33 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 5/11/14 – 9/3/15, 125 days. Total service 6 years 56 days. James was awarded the 1914 Star, British and Victory medals. The following information was provided by James’ mother Rhoda Barnes on the 30th March 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Chas. Bosworth, Registrar, Castle Donington on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, James Barnes of Clapgun Street, Castle Donington. Mother of soldier, Rhoda Barnes of Clapgun Street, Castle Donington. Full blood brothers of soldier, Harold Barnes, age 24. Full blood sisters of soldier, Florence Spearing, age 31 and Christina Barnes, age 20.
The War Diary records: 9 Mar-15 – LESTREM. 12:30am. Lieutenant PICKTHALL’s detached post joined the Company from “C” lines. Company was distributed as follows:- No’s. 1, 2 and 3 platoons facing South East on South West side of road leading through trenches to MOULIN DE PIETRE; No’s. 4, 5 and 6 platoons being responsible for road barrier and trenches to North East side of road. The right section “D” lines held by one Company 4th CAMERON HIGHLANDERS, the left centre section held by NORTHAMPTONSHIRE YEOMANRY. Intermittent sniping during the day. 7:00pm. Operation order, marked (A), by Lieutenant Colonel WICKHAM received.
On Saturday March 27th 1915 The Leicester Chronicle and Leicestershire Mercury published the following article under the heading. “THE WAR.” – CASTLE DONINGTON MEN KILLED. Official intimation has been received from the military authorities that two soldiers belonging to Castle Donington have been killed at the front, viz., Private Arthur Dakin (Sherwood Foresters) and Lance Corporal James Barnes (8th Army Cycle Corps). Both were shot as they were leaving the trenches in the early morning only a short distance from the German lines. The young men were highly respected, and their loss is deeply regretted.