Person

Edward Barnes was born in Morley, Leeds, Yorkshire in 1897. His father was Samuel Barnes (1858-1942) who was born in Crich Carr, Derbyshire. His mother was Rebecca Prestwood Howard (1859-1933), a labourer’s daughter, originally from Deeping Fen, Lincolnshire. His parents married in Dewsbury, Yorkshire in 1882 and they had seven children made up of five sons and two daughters. Edward was their second youngest child.

At both the 1901 and 1911 censuses the family lived in Queen Street, Morley, Yorkshire first in number 21 then in number 18. Father Samuel ran a newsagent and stationery business. At the time of the 1911 census Edward is recorded as helping in his father’s business.

It is estimated that Edward joined the Army in April 1916. He was initially a private in the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding regiment with the service number 5527. He then joined the Durham Light Infantry 6th battalion as a private, initially with the service number 6/5801 then finally 250749.

In early April 1917 Edwards’ battalion were in action near Arras, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France. He was killed in action on 14 April 1917; the date suggests it was during the First Battle of the Scarpe. He was lost alongside 52 men and four officers from his battalion who also died that day. His body was not recovered for burial. He is honoured on the Arras Memorial, Arras, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France (bay 8). He is also honoured in the Book of Remembrance 1914-18, Durham Light Infantry, Durham Cathedral. In his home town he is remembered on the Morley War Memorial (Scatchered Park).

Edward Barnes was awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal for his service in World War One.

Birth date: 1897

Death date: 14-Apr-1917

Armed force/civilian: Army

Residence: 21 South Queen Street, Morley, Leeds, Yorkshire (1901census)
18 South Queen Street, Morley, Leeds, Yorkshire (1911 census)

Family: Parents: Samuel Barnes (1858-1942),Rebecca Prestwood Barnes nee Howard (1859-1933)
Siblings: William Barnes (1883), Annie Barnes (1885), Lily Barnes (1888), Harry Barnes (1891), Norman Barnes (1895), Hayden Barnes (1902)

Military service:

250749
Private
1/6 Durham Light Infantry
formerly 5527 West Riding Regiment
formerly 6/5801 Durham Light Infantry

Medal(s): Victory Medal
British War Medal

Memorial(s): Arras Memorial, Arras, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France (Bay 8)
Book of Remembrance 1914-18, DLI, Durham Cathedral
Morley War Memorial (Scatchered Park), Morley, Leeds, Yorkshire

Gender: Male

Contributed by David D, Stanley, Co Durham