Thursday 16 July 2015

Barnes, Henry - Private (3832)

Private Henry Barnes
Royal Navy,
Killed in Action,
30th December 1917,
Age 31,
Buried Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich


"THE BEST OF COMRADES" PRIVATE HENRY BARNES KILLED.

Offical intimation has been received by his sisters that Private henry Barnes, Royal Naval division, late of 26 Sunnybank Street, was killed while on active service in France on December 30th 1917.  Single and 31 years of age, he enlisted in April, 1915, and after a brief training went to the Dardanelles in July of the same year and was in Gallipoli Peninsula for six months and was brought off through sickness in January 1916, a few days before the final evacuation and was taken to Egypt, where he remained for about six weeks.  After recovering he went back to the Island of Mudros.  With the whole of the Division he was transferred to France in May 1916, where he served up to the time of his death.  Before enlisting he was employed as a weaver at Plantation Mill. He was connected with Haslingden Congregational Chapel, and his name is on the Roll of Honour at that place.  He was of musical disposition, and was a member of the Co-operative Choir. -  Owing to his cheerful and social disposition, he leaves a wide circle of friends to mourn his loss.  Several letters have been sent by his Haslingden comrades, who all testify to his cheerful example and unselfish spirit, and that he will be sadly missed, as he was the best of comrades.