Rifleman Henry (Harry) Barnett

Henry was born to parents Henry Barnett and Mary Ann (Nee Evans). His parents had married on 10th April 1881 and by the time Henry was born in London on 28th May 1888 his parents already had two girls. Henry and his sister Mary Ann were both baptised on 10th June 1888. At this time the family were living at 4 Raglan Street in London. His father was listed as a labourer. A further child Charles was born in 1890.

By 1891 the family had moved to 17 Dudley Street, Paddington in London and were sharing the property with 3 other families. Henry Snr was now working as a Coal porter.

in 1901 Henry aged 14 now had six siblings and were living at 49 Litcham Street, St. Pancras. Five other families were also listed at this address. His father worked as a labourer, his mother as a Laundry help and eldest sister Mary aged 19 was a bottle washer. His other siblings were Caroline 17, Charles 12, Daisy 5, William two and Daniel just one month. All the children were born in either Paddington or St Pancras area.

On 20th September 1902 Henry’s sister Mary, married a James Ellingham and a few years later in 1906 his sister Caroline married James’s brother, Henry Ellingham. Both of these men were killed during the First World War.

Records indicate that Henry enlisted with the 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade on 25th August 1905. He was just 17. I suspect he lied about his age and said he was 21.

By 1911 the Barnett family was living at number 13 Litcham Street, St. Pancras, in two rooms. Henry’s parents had been married for 32 years and had ten children, two of whom had died. Henry snr was working as a Bricklayers Labourer. Children still at home were, Daisy aged 15, and working as a Domestic servant and Charles aged 21 working as a Laundry Warehouse man. William 12, George aged 9 and Alfred aged 6 were still at school.

Henry aged 23 was no longer living at home. He was still in the Army serving with the 4th Battalion Rifle Brigade in Egypt.

On the 4th October 1913 Henry aged 26 married 24 year old Ada Mary McCann at the Parish church in Kentish Town. Henry was no longer serving in the army as the marriage certificate listed his occupation as a Labour Mortar living at 42 Litcham Street whilst Ada Mary was listed living at 48 Litcham Street. Witnesses were Henry Ellingham and Daisy Barnett. Henry’s father was listed as a Wharfinger and Ada’s father Charles; (deceased) was listed as a prison Warden.

When war broke out Henry aged 26 re-joined the Rifle Brigade. Now serving with the 1st Battalion his unit disembarked at Havre on 23rd August 1914. War diaries indicate the 1st Battalion were soon exchanging gunfire with the enemy. An extract for the 8th November the day Henry was killed reads as follows:
“The enemy made a very determined attempt to pass underneath our wire entanglements, which had been knocked about by shell fire. They persevered in spite of heavy losses inflicted on them by gun and rifle fire”

Henry was killed in action Sunday 8th November 1914 aged 26. His name is mentioned on a Memorial at St Andrew Church, Wimbledon.

He is also on the Ploegssteert Memorial in Belgium which commemorates more than 11,000 servicemen of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in this sector during the First World War and have no know grave.