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Tom was born in 1889 in Barwell, Leicestershire to parents John Barnes (a draper) and his wife Fanny,
and he had five siblings. When he was young the family lived in Barwell, and then in 1901 they are
recorded as living at 120 Cavendish Road, Leicester. The Barnes family moved to Melton Mowbray and
gavetheir name to a building in the Market Place there. By 1911 Tom had married and was living with
his wife Sarah Ann Barnes (nee Bond, married on the 23rd January 1909 in the Leicester Registry
Office) and their children, Edith, born on the 17th June 1909 and Margaret, born in the 4th quarter of
1910,Tom and Sarah had two more children, Tom H., born in the 3rd quarter of 1912 and Alfred
Herbert, born on the 15th May 1914, both children were born in Leicester, Margaret died in the October
quarter of 1911, age 1 and Tom died in the January quarter of 1914 aged 1. Tom was employed as a
leather trimmer and the family home was 16, Lead Street, Leicester.
Tom enlisted on the 27th February 1906 in Leicester with the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Leicestershire
Regiment. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 feet 5â…ž inches in height, weighed 118
lbs, had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35½ inches, his complexion was described as
fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was light brown. The following distinctive marks were noted,
bracelet, cross and anchor left arm, cross flag right, he gave his religion as Church of England. His
records show he was discharged as - Not likely to become an efficient militiaman - due to the loss of
forefinger on his right hand.
On the outbreak of war, Tom enlisted again into the Army Reserve on the 3rd September 1914 in
Leicester, service number 12299. His trade was now registered as a telephone wireman. He confirmed
that he had previously served with the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, and he joined
3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regiment and commenced recruits training on 3/9/14. This was not to prove any
more successful as again an application was made for his discharge due to his amputated finger
meaning he could not fire a rifle. Not deterred, Tom enlisted again into the Territorial Force on the 20th
October 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 3417 and this time was accepted. He
was posted to 4th Reserve Bn. Leicestershire Regt and was soon promoted to Promoted to Lance
Corporal (16/11/14). He was sent out to France in early March 2015 but was wounded a month later as
his army records show - Gunshot wound to hand and finger. In the Field. 9/4/15 – and he was sent
back to the UK to recuperate. Tom returned to the field in June 1915 but was wounded again on 2nd
August 1915. His records record him as suffering gunshot wounds to the upper jaw and suffering from
shock. Tom died of his wounds the same day.
The War Diary records: 2 Aug-15 - At 7.00am situation quiet. Wind South Westerly. At 8.15am an
explosion occurred about 30 yards in front of German parapet opposite R.P.2 at sap had exploded. At
3.30pm ground between 42a dug-outs and 47S shelled by enemy’s howitzers and whizz bangs.
Casualties, Other Ranks 1 man wounded. F.A. 6 other ranks.
On Tuesday, August, 17th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the
heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.†– THE ROLL OF HONOUR. – Information
has been received that Lance-Corporal T. H. BARNES, First 4th Leicester Regiment, died on August
2nd of wounds received in action. His wife and two children live at 11, Charter-street, Leicester.
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