Pte 16435 Samuel Frank Barnes

• Age: 19
• From: West Kirby, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

16435 Private Samuel Frank BARNES 18^th Battalion KLR. 

(Samuel) Frank Barnes was born 08th August 1896 in West Kirby, the youngest son of Samuel and Elizabeth Eleanor(nee Shingler) Barnes who were married on the 11th Dec 1879 at St Michael, Toxteth. Widow Samuel was a 30 year old gardener of Lydia St, father Jonathan, whilst Elizabeth was 25 years old of Ullet Rd, father John. Samuel was originally married in 1869 to Elizabeth Stokes in Malpas but she died in 1877. Frank was baptised on the 11th October 1896 in West Kirby. 

The 1901 Census finds four year old Frank living with his parents and five siblings at Mill Cottage, Village Road, Hoylake.

His father, Samuel, is a 51 year old gardener born in Malpas, Cheshire, whilst his mother, Elizabeth, is a 47 year old born in Liverpool. His two eldest siblings were born in West Derby, Liverpool and are recorded as; Emily a 19 year old dressmaker's assistant and Arthur F. a 16 year old grocer's assistant. His three other siblings were born in West Kirby and are shown as; Ethel a 14 year old draper's assistant, Edgar aged 10 and Sidney aged 7.

By the time of the 1911 Census, 14 year old Frank is a schoolboy living at 7 Church Road West, West Kirby with his parents and 4 siblings. Father Samuel is aged 61, a gardener, mother Elizabeth is aged 57, and they state that they have been married for 32 years and have had 6 children all of whom had survived. Those siblings listed as living in the property are shown as; Emily a 29 year old dressmaker, Ethel a 24 year old shop assistant, Edgar a 20 year old builder's clerk, and Sidney a 16 year old gardener's assistant.       

Frank enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 03^rd September 1914 joining the 18th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 16435. He is aged 19 years 26 days, giving his occupation as clerk (in the office of Mr Woolcott) and his next of kin as his father, Samuel, 20 Eaton Road, West Kirby. He is described as being 5'6", weight 110lbs, chest 34”,  with fair physical development. He has a fresh complexion with grey eyes and brown hair. His religion is stated as Church of England.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain.    

He crossed to France with his Battalion on the SS Invicta  arriving in Boulogne on the 07th November 1915. 

From the 9-18th Jan 1916 he was granted leave, probably because of his mother’s death.(Mother died aged 62 in early 1916).

He served in France from 7^th November 1915, earning his three medals, and on 10^th January 1916 started 10 days leave in France, rejoining his unit of 19^th January. (Possibly due to his mother’s death aged 62 in early 1916).

On 01^st July 1916 he was killed in action during the attack on Montauban.

18^th Battalion

At 6.30am the artillery commenced an intensive bombardment of the enemy’s trenches. Zero Hour – 7.30 am – the battalion commenced to leave their trenches and the attack commenced. The attack was pressed with great spirit and determination in spite of heavy shelling and machine gun enfilade fire which caused casualties amounting to 2/3rds of the strength of the Battalion in action. The whole system of German trenches including the Glatz Redoubt was captured without any deviation from the scheduled programme. Consolidated positions and made strong points for defence against possible counter attacks. 

Graham Maddocks provides more detail concerning the events of the day:

As the first three waves began to move forward towards the German reserve line, known as Alt Trench and then on to the Glatz Redoubt itself, they suddenly came under enfilading fire from the left. This was from a machine gun which the Germans had sited at a strong point in Alt Trench. The gun itself was protected by a party of snipers and bombers, who, hidden in a rough hedge, were dug into a position in Alt Trench, at its junction with a communication trench known as Alt Alley. These bombers and snipers were themselves protected by rifle fire from another communication trench, Train Alley which snaked back up the high ground and into Montauban itself. The machine gun fire was devastating and it is certain that nearly of the Battalion’s casualties that day were caused by that one gun.  

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Henry Trotter  wrote in the conclusion of his account of the days action:

I cannot speak to highly of the gallantry of the Officers and men. The men amply repaid the care and kindness of their Company Officers, who have always tried to lead and not to drive. As laid down in my first lecture to the Battalion when formed, in the words of Prince Kraft:

“Men follow their Officers not from fear, but from love of the Regiment where everything had always and at all times gone well with them”.    

Joe Devereux in his book A Singular Day on the Somme gives the Casualty Breakdown for the 18^th Battalion as Killed in Action 7 Officers and 165 men and of those who died in consequence of the wounds 3 Officers and 19 men a total of 194 out of a total loss for the four Liverpool Pals Battalions of 257. 

Like so many of his comrades Frank has no known grave and is one of those named on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme in France.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01^st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

On the 17th July 1916 his sister Ethel wrote to the Authorities:- 

“Dear Sir, I am very anxious to make inquiries regarding my brother Private S F Barnes 16435 No. 2 Company 7 Platoon 18th Service Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment. There are several rumours written in France that he was killed on July 1st, but as yet I have heard no official news from your office. I should be very grateful if you would kindly inquire for me.” 

His death was reported in the Birkenhead News on 29th July 1916:

Gallant West Kirby 'Pal'

Dies "A Noble Death."

The death is now officially confirmed of Private Frank Barnes (Liverpool 'Pals'), youngest son of Mr S. Barnes, 20 Eaton Road, West Kirby. Prior to enlistment he was in the office of Mr Woolcott, and was making rapid strides towards a successful professional career. The first information was by a letter to his father from his platoon mate who wrote:- "I cannot say how deeply sorry I am to convey the sad news of Frank's death. I am sorry I could not write sooner as today is the first time I have had the opportunity since the offensive began. He was hit whilst going over the top and was killed instantaneously and absolutely without pain. I have tried my utmost to get his pocket-case, but I think someone must have sent it on to you. He was very popular in our platoon, and is greatly missed by the few of us who are left. There is one consolation in knowing he died and noble death in the face of the enemy."

To his father, his sister, and the rest of the family, our sincere sympathy is extended.

His death was also mentioned in a report on the death of another Pal Richard Water's who also fell on 01st July 1916

West Kirby Soldier.

Private Richard Waters is also numbered amongst the slain ! He was 25 years of age and a member of the Liverpool Pals. He was an enthusiastic member of the Boys' Brigade previous to the war, and went into khaki soon after the campaign opened. His father Mr William Waters passed away when their only surviving son was in France, and the greatest sympathy goes out to the poor mother now left bereaved. The news of his death came in a letter sent by Private Ernest Bird of the same company. The latter said that Lieutenant Merry (his officer), Private Waters and Private F. Barnes where amongst the killed. He said "I was one of the lucky ones and got through without a scratch. I am back again with my old section of which, including myself, there are only four left." The Frank Barnes, referred to in Private Bird's letter as being amongst the killed, is son of Mr Samuel Barnes of Eaton Road."

Birkenhead News 30th Dec 1916 

1916 – RECORD OF A FATEFUL YEAR 

Fallen In The Year. 

Like all other centres of population in the kingdom, Birkenhead and district has suffered the loss of many gallant sons who have fallen in the war during the year. The list following is not represented as a complete one, but we do not think that many names will be found to have been omitted.

In The Ranks. 

Frank Barnes, Liverpool Pals; 

Soldiers Effects to father Samuel, no Pension record found. 

In November 1919 there is a note on his file that any effects, medals etc should be sent to Frank’s father at 10 Hilbre Road, West Kirby. Sadly there is another note to say that the family had been notified that there were no such effects. 

Frank is also commemorated on the West Kirby War Memorial and on the war memorial in St Bridget’s Church, West Kirby.

We currently have no further information on Samuel Frank Barnes. if you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.