Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Captain & Adjutant E. L. Barnes, 8th Battalion Royal Lancaster Regiment, killed in action, Flanders, 3 April 1916

1914-15 Star (Capt., R. Lanc. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Capt.) nearly extremely fine and better (3) £450-550

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916.

Edmond Lyndon Barnes was born on 3 November 1881, the eldest son of Edmund Wilson Barnes, Colliery Owner, and Evelyn Mary Barnes, of Ashgate House, Chesterfield and Leermount, Carrigrohane, Co. Cork. He was educated at Harrow and Balliol College, Oxford - where he gained a B.A. 1st Class degree in 1905. Called to the Bar, Inner Temple in 1907 and joined the Midland Circuit, specialising in mining cases. Prior to the War he served in the Inns of Court Volunteers and just before war broke out he had been registered as a fully qualified drill instructor. Barnes took a commission in the 8th Battalion King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment on the outbreak of war and went to the front in October 1915, serving on the Ypres Salient during the Winter of 1915/16. In March 1916 he and his battalion took over the ‘International Trench’. Captain Barnes was killed in action on 3 April 1916 in the attack on the German trenches at St. Eloi. For his outstanding services during this attack he was mentioned in despatches. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. At the time of his death, his mother was living at Kingsmead, Matfield, Kent.

Lieutenant-Colonel Crawford, Acting Brigadier, wrote: ‘Some battalions are one man battalions; and Barnes and his C.O. between them made the 8th King’s Own Royal Lancasters.’

Colonel Thorne wrote to his father: ‘His death has deprived the service of one of the most devoted, zealous and hardworking officers it has been my lot in 34 years service to meet. Your son always remains in my mind as one who obliterated his self entirely and lived in the constant devotion to his duty. His memory will always be green with those of us who remain and knew his worth.’

The Chaplain wrote: ‘I have never met a man in whom the sense of duty was so finely developed. He never spared himself at all, all his thoughts and energies were given for the welfare of the Battalion.’

Colonel Smith wrote: ‘His name was down for a decoration, which would have appeared the following week.’

With an original framed photograph of the recipient in uniform, 22 x 17cm. - the frame bearing the regimental badge; and with copied research.