Arthur William Barnett (1895 - abt. 1980)

Born 24 Oct 1895 in Auckland, North Island, New Zealand

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Catherine (Chamberlain) Barnett — married [date unknown] in New Zealand

Died about 27 Mar 1980 at about age 84 in Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand

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Biography

Arthur Barnett is an Anzac who served in World War One.

Arthur Barnett was awarded the British War Medal.

Arthur Barnett was awarded the Victory Medal.

Arthur was born in 1895. He was the son of Walter Barnett and Elizabeth Lanfear.

Arthur finished his schooling at the end of his Standard 3 year, presumably, after his tenth birthday. By all accounts his family life was not a happy one. His father was inclined to overindulge in alcohol causing his three older sisters Rachel, Harriet and Isabella to leave home (without warning) at their earliest convenience to get away from the dysfunction and abuse. The sisters all lived around the Wellington area, and later in Foxton.

On 7 May 1908, when Arthur was 12 years old, his father Walter in Auckland Hospital on 7 May 1908 from acute nephritis. His widowed mother Elizabeth stayed in Auckland until about 1911 when she relocated to Foxton with Arthur and his younger siblings.

When the 1st World War broke out Arthur lived in Award Downs, Foxton, and was working as a farm hand for W. Gammoch. He enlisted on 27 October 1916 in Palmerston North, although his service record dates from 13 November 1916. His next of kin was recorded as Mrs. E. Barnett (mother), C/- Mrs. S. Williams, Foxton. Reg. No. WWI 39935

Two of Arthur's older brothers, Stanley James Barnett and Bertie Edward Barnett also enlisted. While Arthur was physically fit according to his medical exam, his teeth needed a lot of work done on them but there was hope that he could be made 'dentally fit'. On 2 April 1917, Private Arthur Barnett sailed off from Wellington harbour with B Company, 4th Otago Regiment. They headed to Devonport in England, arriving there in June. On 10 June 1917, he passed through Sling Camp before being sent to 'the field' in France the following month.

Thankfully Arthur survived the war as did his brother Stanley. Unfortunately his brother Bertie contracted Spinal Mengingitis and passed away on 8 March 1917 at No. 12 Stationary Military Hospital, St Pol, France.

Arthur sailed back to New Zealand on the troopship Waimana and was formally discharged from service on 21 July 1919, after serving a total of 2 years and 251 days. Following the war, in September 1923, Arthur's medals (the British War Medal and the Victory Medal) were sent to him at Union Street, Foxton.

On 17 August 1937 his mother Elizabeth passed away at the age of 83.

In the 1938 NZ Electoral Rolls Arthur's address was recorded as Hut 67 at the Paekakariki Railway Yard. He was employed as a Surfaceman.

His name was published in the New Zealand, World War II Ballot Lists (1940-1945). 45 year old Arthur signed up for service on 19 November 1940, in Wellington. He was attached to the 2nd Battalion, Wellington Regiment. His military number was 314256.

At the time of his enlistment, Arthur was employed by the New Zealand Government and worked at the Railways as a 'Surfaceman'. His address was listed as Hut 365 Railway Yard in Paraparaumu, a short distance north of Wellington city. When undertaking his medical, it was noted that one of the tendons of his right index finger had been severed and so he was unable to bend his terminal joint. Probably because of his age, Arthur was given 'home duties' to perform during World War II.

Arthur is known to have married Elizabeth Catherine Chamberlain later in life. They had no children.

They were living at Main Road, Tokomaru in the NZ Electoral Rolls of 1954.

In the 1969 NZ Electoral Rolls he and his wife Elizabeth were living at 34 Alamein Avenue, North Shore, Auckland. He was retired.

His wife Elizabeth passed away in 1976 at the age of 66.

Arthur spent his later years living with his youngest brother Baden in Hamilton. In the 1978 NZ Electoral Rolls he and Baden were recorded at 14 Thomson Avenue, Hamilton West. They were both retired.

He passed away in 1980 at the age of 84 and was buried at Hamilton Park Cemetery, Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand^[1]. PLOT RSA-12-102

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/127721711/arthur-william-barnett : accessed 02 May 2022), memorial page for Arthur William Barnett (24 Oct 1895–27 Mar 1980), Find A Grave: Memorial #127721711, citing Hamilton Park Cemetery, Hamilton, Hamilton City, Waikato, New Zealand ; Maintained by Carl Armstrong (contributor 47730472)

• NZ BDM Birth Records Online: Registration No: 1895/2224 | Family Name: Barnett | Given Name(s): Arthur William | Parents: Elizabeth & Walter Henry | https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz

• http://www.digitalnz.org/records?i%5Bcontent_partner%5D=Archives+New+Zealand+Te+Rua+Mahara+o+te+K%C4%81wanatanga&i%5Bprimary_collection%5D=Archway&text=Arthur+William+Barnett

• http://theyserved.blogspot.co.nz/p/arthur-william-barnett-served-during-ww1.html

• NZ BDM Death Records Online: Registration No: 1980/40884 | Family Name: Barnett | Given Name(s): Arthur William | Date of Birth: 24 October 1895 | https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz

• http://www.hamilton.govt.nz/our-services/do-it-online/cemetery-search/Pages/default.aspx?surname=barnett&forename=arthur