George Barnes b 1926 was the son of George and Lizzie Barnes and nephew of Hugh Alexander. George senior, formerly of the 4th, 8th and 14th Hussars was one of ‘The Old Contemptibles’ who fought and was wounded in the Battle of Mons 1914, later to serve in Mesopotamia and Persia. He was an accomplished violin maker, which he indulged as a hobby, intriguing George junior from an early age. The following poem was written by Hugh Alexander for his nephew’s third birthday in 1929.
GEORGIE BARNES
You are a pretty little boy
Your heart is always full of joy
It takes a lot to make you cry
Georgie Barnes
Every morn at break of day
To Daddy’s bed you make your way
And chase his beauty sleep away
Georgie Barnes
Some funny things you say and do
Each day you pick up something new
To-day’s a birthday for you
Georgie Barnes
You laugh and chatter all day long
Ramona is your favourite song
For fiddles too, your taste is strong
Georgie Barnes
At imitation you are quick
With a bit of wood and a bit of stick
Your elbow learned the fiddler’s trick
Georgie Barnes
Bright has been your three years span
Who knows what waits you as a man
So be as happy as you can
Georgie Barnes
With best wishes from
Uncle Hugh
And what became of Georgie Barnes? Having attended Methodist College Belfast, he followed the Barnes’ tradition of service and enlisted in the Irish Guards in 1944. Following war service, in 1947 whilst serving in Palestine he was seriously wounded in a terrorist explosion. Having been initially laid out with the dead he was found to be still alive. His wounds were horrendous, necessitating major surgery and grafts, requiring 9 months in hospital, followed by years of rehabilitation after discharge from the army. He later worked as a Civil Servant, married, and had a family. He died aged 79 one week after the passing of his beloved wife Daphne.