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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 186

(x) A poignant Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant H. V. Barnes, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, a Boer War veteran and prison warder who returned to the Colours in September 1914

Decorated for his gallantry at Frelinghien in February 1915, he was invested with his award at a public ceremony hosted by the Mayor of Canterbury: the latter trusted - amidst much cheering - that the gallant Sergeant would live many years to wear it, but it was not to be, for he was mortally wounded a few months later

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6745 A. Sjt. H. V. Barnes, 2/N. & D. Regt.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (6763 L. Cpl. V. Barnes, Notts. & Derby. Regt M.I.); 1914 Star, copy clasp (6745 Pte. (A. Cpl.) V. Barnes, 2/Notts. & Derby. R.); British War and Victory Medals (6745 Sjt. V. Barnes, Notts. & Derby. R.), the first with minor contact wear, generally very fine or better (5)

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 April 1915:

'For gallantry and good work on reconnaissance duties, near Frelinghein on 21st February, 1915.'

Horace Vernon Barnes was born at Portland St. Peter, Dorset on 13 June 1883 and enlisted in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment in November 1900, direct from the Militia and his employment as a fireman. He subsequently witnessed active service as a Mounted Infantryman in the Boer War and was placed on the Army Reserve in 1909 after further service in India.

Back home, he found employment as a warder at St. Augustine's Gaol, Canterbury but the advent of hostilities witnessed his return to the Colours, when he was appointed an Acting Corporal in the 2nd Battalion of his old regiment. Embarked for France in November 1914, he quickly saw action, and was awarded the D.C.M. for his bravery during a reconnaissance at Frelinghien on 21 February 1915. On investing Barnes with his award at a public ceremony held in the Courts of Justice at Canterbury, the Mayor described his deeds thus:

'On that morning, Sergeant Barnes, and an officer, and six other men found themselves in thick fog, and upon the fog lifting they discovered they were up against the wire-work of the enemy's trenches. Some eight or more of the enemy charged them and they were also fired upon. One man was killed and two wounded. Sergeant Barnes shot two of the charging men and then two others bolted into the trenches and opened fire on the party. Sergeant Barnes under this fire lifted a Canadian, who had been shot down, upon his shoulders, and carried him into a trench and place of safety. He then returned to help his officer, three of the unwounded me having been ordered to return to our party. They tried to save the other wounded men and Sergeant Barnes and his officer carried them some distance and then utterly done up, they had to be put down in some sort of trench and take refuge themselves in the dyke, with 80 inches of water in it where they lay all day exposed to the fire of the enemy. The second man whom they tried to save died at 2 p.m. There they lay until the evening exposed to fire and receiving slight wounds. Then at nightfall they returned to the trench where they had deposited the wounded Canadian and took him back to their own trench where they arrived in safety … '

Back in France, Barnes was wounded in the left knee while serving on the Somme in late September 1916, but he rejoined his unit before the end of the year. Having then taken up a traffic control appointment in 6th Division, he was mortally wounded on 7 May 1917.

Among the effects returned to his widow Amy were a watch, a ring, two pipes and some 'medal ribbons'. Clearly left in dire financial straits, she had to write to the authorities, urgently requesting them to pursue a gratuity payment, for, as she pointed out, she had charge of three 'living mementos': two boys, aged 2 and 7, and a daughter, aged 13.

Her husband was buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery, south of Bethune.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,000 to £1,400

Starting price
£800