Labour Corps
Harry George Barnfield was the youngest child of seven born to James and Alma Barnfield who were living at Tibbeswell Garden, Painswick (I cannot find a baptism record, but his birth was registered in the first quarter of 1890)
James, who was born at Cam, gave his occupation at the 1891 Census as pin machinist. Alma was born in Nailsworth and their eldest child Kate was born in Woodchester in 1875. All the following children were born in Painswick. Kate was a hairpin roller,
Ten years later the girls had left home leaving just Walter, William, Victor and Harry living with their parents.
By 1911, 62 year old James was still a machinist at the pin mill as was 31 year old Walter and 24 year old Victor. Harry clearly preferred the outdoors and was employed as a gardener.
Harry married 26 year old Alice Maud Vizor at the parish church on 1 June 1914. Their only child, Elsie Mary, was born on 27 December 1915. The family lived at Victoria Street, Painswick.
It would appear that Harry transferred from the 36th Battalion, Training Reserve (number 26545) to the Labour Corps, 599th Agricultural Company (and was given the number 543492) at some point prior to his death.
There are no surviving service records for Harry apart from an entry in the United Kingdom Register of Soldiers Effects dated 23 March 1919. It shows that Harry died at Stroud Red Cross Hospital on 11 November 1918 (aged 28) — possibly from influenza. His widow received a small payment of 18s 1d.
Harry is buried at Painswick Cemetery and has a CWGC headstone and is also commemorated on the Painswick War Memorial.
I have been unable to verify, with any certainty, if any of Harry’s brothers served during the war.
Researched by Helen Wollington April 2018