'At MARETT WOOD near ALBERT on the night 9th/10th May, 1918, for gallant conduct and devotion to duty in connection with the maintenance of communications between Company and Battalion Headquarters. During the Brigade relief, the enemy heavily shelled the lines of communication, and signal wires were cut in a number of places. This man worked along the line continuously for several hours repairing breaks which had occurred. The line subsequently became so badly damaged as to be beyond repair. Private BARNES then supervised and assisted in the laying out of a new line avoiding as much as possible the area which continued to be heavily shelled, and the communication between Company Headquarters and Battalion Headquarters was finally re-established. The carrying out of this duty necessitated him remaining in the line for some hours after his Company had been relieved. During this period, he displayed great initiative and courage and his services were invaluable to his Battalion.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Regimental number	2043
Place of birth	Nhill, Victoria
Religion	Church of England
Occupation	Compositor
Address	Woodward Street, Church Hill, Nhill, Victoria
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	18
Next of kin	Father, James Bond Barnes, Woodward Street, Church Hill, Nhill, Victoria
Previous military service	73rd Infantry
Enlistment date	17 May 1916
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll	5 May 1916
Rank on enlistment	Private
Unit name	39th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number	23/56/2
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A9 Shropshire on 25 September 1916
Regimental number from Nominal Roll	2043A
Rank from Nominal Roll	Private
Unit from Nominal Roll	39th Battalion
Fate	Returned to Australia 12 May 1919
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records	Plaque in Victorian Garden of Remembrance
Medals	Military Medal 'At MARETT WOOD near ALBERT on the night 9th/10th May, 1918, for gallant conduct and devotion to duty in connection with the maintenance of communications between Company and Battalion Headquarters. During the Brigade relief, the enemy heavily shelled the lines of communication, and signal wires were cut in a number of places. This man worked along the line continuously for several hours repairing breaks which had occurred. The line subsequently became so badly damaged as to be beyond repair. Private BARNES then supervised and assisted in the laying out of a new line avoiding as much as possible the area which continued to be heavily shelled, and the communication between Company Headquarters and Battalion Headquarters was finally re-established. The carrying out of this duty necessitated him remaining in the line for some hours after his Company had been relieved. During this period, he displayed great initiative and courage and his services were invaluable to his Battalion.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15 Date: 4 February 1919
Other details	War service: Western Front Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death	8 October 1964

James Walter BARNES