Private Fred Barnes
574484 Labour Corps 875 EA Coy
Previously 28556 11th East Lancashire Regiment
Lived at 29 Milner Street

I logged onto your website last night and saw that you have a request for men who survived WW1. My maternal grandfather was Fred Barnes, I do not have a photo of him in uniform, in fact, I knew nothing about his life in the army. He was born in 1881 in Accrington. His father deserted the family in the late 1880's and his wife was left to bring up 4 boys.

Brief account of the War Services of 28556 Pte. Fred Barnes
Initially enlisted into the 11th Bn. East Lancashire Regiment under the “Derby Scheme” of recruitment at some time in April/May 1916 (after initially offering his services at some point during the winter of 1914/15)
Posted to the 7th Bn. Of the East Lancashire Regiment (part of the 56th Brigade of the 19th (Western) Division) in December 1916.
Served in France and Belgium with this battalion until 22 February 1918 when the battalion was disbanded. During this time with the battalion, the major duties that Fred was involved in were the Battle of Messines (June 1917) and the 3rd Battle of Ypres (July – November 1917)
After his unit was disbanded, Fred was posted to 875 Area Employment Company, Labour Corps (and renumbered to 574484) engaged in salvage duties after being medically downgraded on health grounds. He was admitted to hospital on 12 September 1917 for 33 days, being discharged on 18 October. While serving at Etaples he was accidentally shot on 3 September 1917
In early August 1918, 875 Coy was transferred en-masse to the 43rd (Garrison) Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers (Fred being, once again, renumbered to GS-106006) serving in the Army headquarters districts around Rouen, Le Havre, etc – mainly involved in guard and protection duties.
Demobbed in February 1919.

I discovered from his pension record from Ancestry that he was was subsequently admitted to 2/1st Southern General Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham from 12 Sept to 10 October 1917.

I do not have a photo of him with his uniform, but I attach a photo taken at his son's wedding

(Courtesy of his grandaughter Janice Scott)