War service: Western Front

Taken on strength, 13th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 4 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 1 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 8 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 4 February 1917 (gun shot wound left hand and arm), and admitted to 17th South Midland Casualty Clearing Station, 5 February 1917; transferred to 8th General Hospital, Rouen, 7 February 1917; to England, 14 February 1917, and admitted to Voluntary Aid Hospital, Cheltenham, 15 February 1917; to 3rd Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 3 April 1917; discharged on furlough, 10 April 1917, to report to No 1 Command Depot, Perham Downs, 25 April 1917.

Marched in to 12th Training Bn, 4 November 1917.

Appointed Acting Lance Corporal, 22 January 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 26 March 1918, and reverted to Private.

Wounded, and admitted to 12th Australian Field Ambulance, 14 May 1918 (gun shot wound, left foot), and transferred to 5th Casualty Clearing Station and then to Ambulance Train No 7, and admitted to 12th US Hospital, 15 May 1918.

Previously reported wounded in action; now classified 'injured (negligently self-inflicted)'.

Transferred to England, 28 May 1918, and admitted to Bath War Hospital, 29 May 1918; transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 19 June 1918; discharged on furlough, 20 June 1918, to report to No 4 Command Depot, Hurdcott.

Marched out to Overseas Training Brigade, Longbridge Deverill, 26 July 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France, 8 August 1918; rejoined 13th Bn, in the field, 18 August 1918.

Tried by Field General Court Martial, in the field, 16 September 1918 on charge: Neglect to the prejudice of good order and military discipline (self inflicted wounds); pleaded Not Guilty. Witness, 5725 V.E. MANNING, stated, 'I was rolling up my overcoat of the dug-out when I heard the report of a rifle shot. Sig. BARNICOAT had been cleaning his rifle and did not know it was loaded. Seeing it cocked he released the trigger and the bullet passed through his foot.' GOC Brigade noted, 16 May 1918: 'This man was either grossly negligent or did this deliberately.' Found Guilty; sentenced to forfeiture of 21 days' pay; total forfeiture: 22 days' pay.

Appointed Lance Corporal, 6 December 1918.

Detached for duty to Administrative Headquarters, London, 10 February 1919.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Ypiranga', 15 November 1919; disembarked Sydney, 9 January 1920; discharged, Sydney, 31 March 1920.

Father of wife, Mr H. Webb (Chief Petty Officer, HMAS 'Sydney'), wrote to Base Records, 18 June 1918: 'I wish to inform you that Mrs Barnicoat his wife died on the 12th of March last under very painful circumstances. We have received two forms from you, thefirst one saying he [3690 Pte C.P.B. Barnicoat] was wounded (2nd occasion), the other saying that his injuries was (sic) caused through his own neglect. I do not wonder at it as he was devoutedly attached to his wife and he as probably heard of his death caused by blood poisoning following abortion. I am her father only lately returned from H.M.A.S. Sydney after having been away since the start of this war. The Military Authorities was (sic) acquainted of her death two days after she died, there is a child two years & 6 months old of which I have undertook the guardianship of until the soldier's return.'