440th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps
William Edmund Barnett was born in Staunton, Gloucestershire in 1884, son of Thomas Barnett (1852-1950), a gardener, and Clara (formerly Hussey) (1852-1945).
William was also employed as a domestic gardener. In 1909 he married Mary Jane Cassidy (1882-1953). There were three children of the marriage, Edmund Thomas born in February 1912, Leslie William born in October 1913 and Doris Mary born in February 1915.
He attested at Coleford, Gloucestershire on 10 December 1915 and was placed on the Army Reserve the next day. He was mobilized of 30 May 1916 and posted to 3rd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment on the following day.
On 18 July 1917 he was transferred to 440th Agricultural Company, Labour Corps and on 5 April 1918 he was discharged at Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol as no longer physically fit under King’s Regulations para 392 (xvi). He had been diagnosed as suffering with DAH (disorderly action of the heart) and dilatation of the heart, both aggravated by his service.
William Edmund Barnett died at home, Fairview Cottage, Staunton on 11 September 1918, aged 34 years, and was buried in Staunton (All Saints) Churchyard. A private headstone, in the form of a
stone cross on a plinth, marks his grave.
Researched by Eric Nicholls February 2021
(Photograph of William taken from a Public Family Tree on Ancestry)