Cecil Edward Barnes

Forenames

Cecil Edward AWMM

Surname

Barnes AWMM

Also known as

Tom Barnes AWMM

Service number

WWII 38289 AWMM

Gender

Male AWMM

Birth

30 Jan 1907 AWMM

Address before enlistment

WW2 Pre 1940-1941 AWMM 91 Beauchamp St., Karori, Wellington AWMM

Next of kin

WW2 Mrs. E.J. Barnes, 91 Beauchamp St., Karori (mother) AWMM

Relationship status

Pre 1940-1941 AWMM Single/WWII AWMM

War

World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM

Campaign

Greece AWMM

Armed force / branch

Army AWMM

Service number

WWII 38289 AWMM

Medals and Awards

• Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) AWMM
  DSO: NZ Gazette, 1 February 1945. Citation: "In September 1942, Captain Barnes was one of a sabotage party recruited to destroy railway viaducts in Greece. On 30 September this group parachuted into Greece and joined up with local partisan groups. By November, a large group of locals had formed a plan to attack the local enemy garrison while Captain Barnes with his party destroyed the Gorgopotamos viaduct. On 25 November this plan was put into effect and despite charges having to be reset due to faulty information, the main pier was destroyed. Although enemy reinforcements had arrived and heavy firing was taking place, this officer placed further charges and destroyed a further span and pier. This attack had required the utmost in fortitude and physical endurance as the attacking party had to climb mountains of 5,000 feet and deep snow. The leadership of Captain Barnes helped to sustain these men during the 25 hours (including a 3 hour gun battle) it took to complete the attack and destruction of the viaduct. Unable to return to Egypt, Captain Barnes helped organise the local forces in their fight against the enemy. In the three or four weeks immediately prior to the Allied landings in Sicily in July 1943 maximum efforts were required in Greece in order to divert German troops attention. During this period, Captain Barnes personally supervised attacks on three bridges, each separated by most of a day's march in mountain country, in the course of five nights. In addition to leading and directing specific attacks, his special task was liaison officer with Colonel Zervas of the EDES guerrilla band. (The above is based on the account contained in 'New Zealand in the Second World War, Official History, "Special Service in Greece"' and other records of that period.)" AWMM
• Military Cross (MC) AWMM
• 1939-1945 Star AWMM
• Africa Star AWMM
• Defence Medal AWMM
• War Medal 1939-1945 with oak leaf AWMM
• New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
• Military Cross (MC) AWMM
  20 Apr 1943 AWMM
  The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Barnes, Cecil Edward. (Ref. WO 373/46/96). Military Cross. AWMM

Enlistment

• WW2 Civil Engineer/Civilian AWMM
• WW2 1940-1941 2NZEF Nom. Roll 3, p.27 Civil Engineer/Civilian 2NZEF Nom. Roll 3, p.27

Embarkation details

WW2 Lieutenant/Military 2NZEF Nom. Roll 3, p.27 Headquarters, 21st (N.Z.) Mechanical Equipment Company, N.Z. Engineers 2NZEF Nom. Roll 3, p.27 Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM

Medical notes

Accidental Death, Cause of Death AWMM
Accidental death AWMM

Last rank

Lieutenant Colonel/Military AWMM
New Zealand Engineers, attached to Special Forces AWMM

Before the war, Barnes worked and travelled extensively in Australia and in little explored parts of New Guinea.

Lt-Col C. E. Barnes, DSO, MC, m.i.d.; born NZ 30 Jan 1907; civil engineer; killed in accident, Aust., 22 Jun 1952. (Source: Cody, J.F. New Zealand Engineers, Middle East. p.187.) AWMM

Death

22 Jun 1952 AWMM
Age  45 AWMM

Cause of death

• Accidental Death AWMM
• Car accident. His liver was ruptured by the steering wheel impact.
  Public - Rosalind Anne - Child - 23 October 2017 - Medical records

Cemetery name

He was not buried in a cemetery. 35 years ago my mother and I scattered his ashes into Spirits Bay.

Public - Rosalind Anne - Child - 23 October 2017 - Personal involvement.

Related objects

External links

• 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 20 April 1943, p.1845.). Military Cross.
  http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35987/supplements/1845
  Further Reference
• The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Barnes, Cecil Edward. (Ref. WO 373/46/96). Military Cross.
  http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7369630
  Further Reference
• 'Special Service in Greece' by M.B. McGlynn, in Episodes and Studies Volume 2
  http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2-2Epi-c1-WH2-2Epi-j-3.html
  Further Reference

References

• Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1942). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 5 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1941 to 30 September, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
• Cody, J.F. (1961). New Zealand Engineers, Middle East. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
  pp.187, 189, 191, 330.
• McClymont, W. (1959). To Greece. Wellington, N.Z.: Department Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
• Sons of Odysseus: SOE Heroes in Greece by Alan Ogden
  The Sabotage Diaries by Katherine Barnes
  Public - Rosalind Anne - Child - 29 January 2016 - Family bookshelf