Sidney Barnes
L/CPL 4979262 - 6th Battalion
York and Lancaster Regiment
Enlisted: January 1940
Date of Death 02 January 1945 : Aged 27
Italy Ancona War Cemetery - Ref: IV.E.10.
L/Cpl 4979262 Sidney Barnes was born Q3 1917 in Huthwaite. The 1892 marriage between Mr Joseph Barnes and Miss Eliza Rhodes addresses his 1901 parental home at 53 Newcastle Street. Next 1911 census lists that fuller, although still growing household headed by coal hewer Joseph 48, with wife Eliza 39, then mothering Elizabeth 16, Mary 14, Anna E 10, Mable 9, Joseph 5, Anderson 2 and Sarah 7 months. Son Sidney was youngest addition before registering 1926 death of mother aged 52, then father aged 64 year after.
Mr Sidney Barnes was recognised running his own milk business in Sutton. Records can finally trace 1939 position of barman at the Mansfield Market Hotel, accommodated by his married sister Mrs Annie E Marriott with publican husband Mr Arthur Marriott.
Private Sidney Barnes joined 9th Notts and Derby Regiment in January 1940. Mobilising those Sherwood Foresters into France realised need for a desperate Dunkirk evacuation. Transferal into the Foresters 14th Battalion must recognise promoted rank to Lance Corporal, between action in the Middle East and being wounded twice in Italy bringing disbanded regimental transfer.
Lance Corporal 4979262 Sidney Barnes recognises transferal to 6th Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment just before writing home remarking having enjoyed his best army Christmas. He was killed following week on 2nd January 1945 aged 27.
A native of Huthwaite, L/Cpl. S. Barnes, who until 1938 carried on a milk business of his own in Sutton, has been killed in action in Italy, according to official information received by his sister, Mrs. Marriott, of the Market Hotel, Mansfield.
L/Cpl. Barnes was called up in January, 1940, and after training in England with the Sherwood Foresters, served in France. He was among those safely evacuated from Dunkirk, and later saw action in the North African campaign.
On the Anzio Beachhead in Italy, he was wounded twice and mentioned in despatches. He was extremely fond of music, and his last letter home remarked that Christmas, 1944, was the best he had spent in the Army.
L/Cpl. Barnes was the youngest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Barnes, who lived in Newcastle Street, Huthwaite. He was 27 years of age.
Mr Alan Barnes further notes his uncle Sid was killed when enemy mines blew up a school used for NCO training. There is sadly no known local Roll of Honour listing S. Barnes, who certainly deserves additional Huthwaite Online memoriam.