Chester-le-Street Chronicle 1919
DLI Memorial Book
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Charles Barnes was born 1892 in Pelton, County Durham, one of six children, 3 boys and 3 girls, born to Robert Barnes (1871) of Bewick Main near Birtley and the widow Jane Hyde, born 1869 in Perkinsville, County Durham, Jane had a son from her previous marriage by the name of Frances. Robert worked as a coal miner-hewer and died between 1905-1919. Charles along with his mother and siblings moved to 34, West Street, Grange Villa. He met and married Hannah Cruddas in 1913 in South Shields, they had two children, James and Hannah.
Charles Barnes enlisted in Stanley, September 8th 1914, at that time he and his family were living in Pelton Fell, he was employed as a miner. Charles declared to have previously been enlisted in the 3rd Durham Light Infantry Reserve Regiment for 4 months but had been bought out. He was assigned as Private 18215 to the 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. July 1915 Charles was involved in an altercation with his superior officer in the execution of his duty, accused of violent behaviour, an offence which risked the death penalty. The case was heard by the D.C.M. July 27th 1915 and the sentence was commuted to 1 years hard labour at H.M. Prison Winchester. Whilst serving his sentence the Army Council decided January 28th 1916 to remit the remainder of his sentence stating that if he was fit and available he was to be sent overseas with the next reinforcing draft. He was drafted and embarked, at Folkstone for France, February 25th 1916 aboard the Golden Eagle, She was a steam propelled paddle steamer that in peace time was used for day excursions sailing from London to Margate. March 4th 1916 he joined the 15th Battalion, 21 Division in the field and July 1st 1916 was involved in the attack north of Fricourt during the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Charles received a gunshot wound to his thigh that day and was shipped back to England for treatment at The Lord Derby War Hospital in Warrington and did not return to the front until January 8th 1917 as part of the British Expeditionary Force and assigned to the 20th Battalion in the field, joining the battalion at the front January 24th 1917. In the May of the same year he was admitted to the field hospital suffering from scabies but was back in the field a week later.
The Chester-le-Street Chronicle 21/12/1917 reports Mrs Barnes has received word that her husband has been awarded the Military Medal. His Major-General wrote - I wish to put on record my appreciation of your gallantry and devotion to duty. When the battalion was held up you pushed forward with a few men trying to bomb a machine gun encampment but were forced back by snipers. Your conduct was of the highest quality. The account also reports that Private Barnes was wounded at the Somme.
Wounded for a second time to his left hand he was once again sent back to England, via Etaples, in April 1918 and was admitted to the York Military Hospital for two months. Returned to France June 12th 1918 he was reassigned to the 15th Battalion. The Allies were once again preparing for an offensive on the Somme, the 15th was attached to the 3rd Army and made a night advance of over 3000 yards on the 23/24th of August 1918. It was during this advance that Private 18215 Charles Barnes 15th Battalion Durham Light Infantry was killed in action, August 24th 1918.
His wife was informed of his death three days later and his body was initially buried on the battlefield.
January 20th 1920 his widow received a letter informing her that it had been necessary to exhume the body of her husband for proper burial at Regina Trench Cemetery north east of Albert, France, grave VIII G 16. She was assured that "the new grave had been marked with a cross bearing all the late soldier’s details” and that, “the removal was undertaken with every measure of care and reverence and the re-internment conducted by an Army Chaplain”.
His widow received his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and a pension for herself and their son James. She was pregnant with their daughter Hannah when Charles departed for the last time for the front, Hannah was born at the beginning of 1919 and died 1919-1920.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Charles Barnes is remembered at Craghead on C120.01, C120.04 at West Pelton on W112.01
His name is in the Durham Light Infantry Book of Remembrance kept in the DLI Memorial Chapel Durham Cathedral D47.013
