Stanley (Stan) James Barnett 61491
30th Reinforcements, Wellington Infantry Regiment, B Company,
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
30th Reinforcements, Wellington Infantry Regiment, B Company,
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
20 December 1889 - 31 July 1964
Stan is my great uncle, from my father's side of the family.
He was one of my great grandmother's younger brothers.
I have researched the following information about Stan
from his military records and other related texts.
I have endeavored to record the story of
his involvement in the war as accurately as possible.
his involvement in the war as accurately as possible.
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| Stan Barnett Unknown photographer. Photo taken around 1917. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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| Stanley Barnett Photo probably taken in 1917. Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of L Prole) |
Stanley (Stan) James Barnett was born in Auckland on 20 December 1889. He was the eighth of eleven children that were born to English immigrants, Walter Henry Barnett (known as Harry) (1 August 1844 - 7 May 1908) and Elizabeth Barnett (nee Lanfear) (9 October 1853 - 17 August 1937). The first five children were born in Christchurch, New Zealand:
- Rachel White (25 October 1877-1939)
- Louisa Harriet (or Harriet Louisa, known as Lou) Williams (6 November 1878-1965)
- Isabella (Bell) Williams (31 August 1880-1959)
- Emily Bland (24 August 1882-1970)
- Sydney Walter Barnett (26 June 1884-1971)
- Alice Nellie Barnett (8 August 1886-1888)
- Chrissie Barnett (24 December 1888-1889)
- Stanley (Stan) James Barnett (20 December 1889-1964)
- Bertie (Bert) Edward Barnett (31 December 1891-1917)
- Arthur William Barnett (24 October 1895-1980)
- Baden Thomas Barnett (29 August 1900-1993).
Walter and Elizabeth would have especially treasured Stan, as his arrival came after the loss of two little girls, Alice Nellie, who died in 1888 aged 18 months, and baby Chrissie, who died in 1889, 15 days after her birth. Walter was 45 years old and Elizabeth was 36 when Stan was born. Walter initially worked as a carpenter when he first arrived in New Zealand, but at the time of his death, in 1908, he was a 'watchman', presumably providing security services for the community or a local business.
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| This photo of the Barnett family was taken around 1895-96. Photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of L Prole.) |
In 1902, 12 year old Stan would have attended two Barnett weddings! His sister Emily married Charles Robert Bland. The Blands settled in Auckland. Another sister, Isabella (22), married 32 year old Englishman, Symon Henry Williams (9 Mar 1870 - 9 Jan 1958) in Foxton on 24 or 25 December 1902. They settled in Foxton.
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| Stan's father, Walter Henry Barnett. Date and photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of L Prole.) |
On 7 May 1908, when Stan was 18 years old, his father died. Stan probably went with his mother and siblings to the Waikumete Cemetery as they buried him. Twelve days later, Stan's oldest sister Rachel, married John Leigh White in Auckland.
In 1911 Stan's mother moved to Foxton to be closer to his sister Isabella and her husband. It is probable that Stan and his youngest siblings moved to Foxton at this time.
It is unclear how much schooling Stan had during his childhood. What we do know, is that prior to enlisting for war, he worked as a farmer and was employed by Walker and Furrie, in Foxton.
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| Stan Barnett Photographer and date unknown, but around 1916. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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| Stan Barnett Photo by W Golder, Waipawa. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
Stan signed up for war on 21 June 1917. He was single, and gave his mother as his next-of-kin, her address being Union Street, Foxton. Stan stated on his paperwork that his religious persuasion was Church of England. Brothers, Bert and Arthur also enlisted for service in the war and all three ended up serving on the Western Front. Sadly, Bert never returned home, dying of spinal meningitus, in France.
Stan commenced duty on 25 July 1917. He embarked for war on the troopship, Corinthic, on 13 October the same year. While heading to Liverpool, England, he was admitted to the hospital on board the ship where he was treated for 6 days.It is unclear what illness he was suffering from. The ship docked in England on 8 December 1917.
Stan passed through Sling Camp before serving on the Western Front beginning on 14 February 1918. Shortly after arriving in France, he took sick (details unknown), but rejoined his battalion on 12 April 1918.
On 21 February 1918, Stan was posted to 7th Company of the 1st Wellington Infantry Regiment.
The 1st and 2nd Wellington Infantry Regiments were taken by train from Cassel to Ailly-sur-Somme on 25 March. From there they made their way to the Division Headquarters at Hedauville and on to the front line. the 1st Wellington boys, including Stan would have reached their reserve positions in Mailly Maillet on 27 March, then relieved the 1st Auckland boys on the evening of 28 March. This was to be the start of the Battle of Arras.
The 1st Wellington boys took turns at the front line with the other New Zealand Regiments, a few days at a time. The front line positions were around Hebuterne, nestled between the French towns of Arras and Amiens. The conditions were initially difficult due to fog, and rain which caused the trenches to become muddy and difficult to traverse. The temperatures were cold too, with light snow sometimes falling.
Not long after arriving at the front line Stan became sick and was evacuated to the Field Ambulance. We are not sure what type of sickness he suffered from but we do know that he was well enough to rejoin his Battalion by 12 April.
On 4 May, the 1st Wellingtons were involved in a 'small operation' which resulted in an advancement in their position in the line. Following this operation, the 1st Division were relieved and were able to take some rest at Rossignol Farm until 12 May when they were posted to the support lines, and then, from 18-24 May, they went back to the front lines. Fortunately, the weather had improved by this time and the temperatures were more pleasant. On 28 May, the 1st and 2nd Division marched about 15 kilometers south to a place near Vauchelles where the First Brigade Horse Show was held.
Between 1-6 June, the 1st and 2nd Battalions were back at front line duties. Soldiers were thankful for the warmer days which dried out the trenches. They also found that some of the trenches were made near hedges and trees which provided shade in the summer heat. Following their duties at the front line, both Battalions took a few days rest before marching to a camp near Henu where for one week they performed training exercises and were entertained by the New Zealand Divisional Concert Party. On 21 June, the 1st and 2nd Battalions were marched back to Vauchelles where on Sunday 23 June there was a Church Parade followed by a Divisional Sports tournament.
At the end of June, the 1st and 2nd Battalions were involved in the Divisional Band competition and a Boxing Tournament. On the morning of 30 June there was a combined church parade for both Battalions in front of the New Zealand Prime Minister, William Massey and several other dignitaries. The afternoon was spent competing in a sport tournament.
In July 1918, the 1st Wellingtons took turns at the front line at Rossignol Wood, near Hebuterne. Many of Stan's comrades were struck down by Spanish Influenza while there. Fortunately for Stan, it appears that he was not affected by this illness. The Germans retreated from the Rossignol Wood trenches on 20 July so the allies were able to advance their line by around 500 yards.
From 2-10 August, the 1st Wellingtons undertook training exercises at Rosignoll Farm and the following day they took up front line duties at Gommecourt. The Germans began retreating from their posts so on 24 August the 1st and 2nd Battalions attacked the Loupart Wood and Grevillers. The 1st Wellingtons were responsible for capturing Loupart Wood. The whole operation was successfully achieved by lunchtime and valuable ground was gained. The reward for the 1st Wellingtons was two days in the reserve lines!
From 30 August, the 1st Wellingtons played a part in the battle to capture Bancourt, however, on 1 September Stan was reported wounded with a severe gunshot wound to his chest. He was initially sent to Roulen for treatment, but by 2 October, he was removed to the 1st New Zealand General Hospital in Brockenhurst, Hampshire, England, for further treatment. Apparently, at the time when Stan was a patient there, the hospital was likely to have been caring for up to 1600 sick and injured soldiers.
Stan's injuries were deemed serious, and was classed as "no longer physically fit for war service on account of wounds received in action", so he was sent back to New Zealand on 8 December 1918 on the ship Ruahine which departed from London.
During his time at the front lines, Stan was also gassed. We are not sure when this occurred, but he suffered from the effects of it for the rest of his life.
On arrival back in New Zealand, Stan returned to his family on Union Street, Foxton. His discharge from the war was made official on 18 April 1919 after serving a total of 1 year and 268 days.
Stan received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
In 1921 Stan married Mary Pemberton Procter (4 Sep 1897 - 6 Dec 1997). They settled on Avenue Road, Foxton where they lived for the rest of their lives. Stan and Mary had seven children:
- Stanley (Stan) Edward Barnett (27 July 1922 - ?)
- Avis Joyce Stark (18 Nov 1923 - 31 Aug 2008)
- Rex Collin Barnett (8 Dec 1926 - 12 Aug 1927)
- Cedric Barnett (25 Nov 1930 - ?)
- Ralph Fuller Barnett (16 Mar 1933 - 27 Dec 2008)
- Betty Gyde (26 June 1936 - ?)
- Digby Ross Barnett (17 Feb 1938 - 9 Apr 2014)
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| Stan Barnett milking. The original photo has the caption, "They call me the old cow-spanker." Date unknown. Photographer W Golder, Waipawa (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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| Stan Barnett with his mother Elizabeth Barnett, nee Lanfear, and his children, Stan Jnr and Avis. Date and photographer unknown but c1925. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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| Elizabeth Barnett, nee Lanfear. Date and photographer unknown. (Photo courtesy of K J Bland) |
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| Stan's mother, Elizabeth Barnett (nee Lanfear). Date & photographer unknown. Possibly taken around 1937. Photo courtesy of L Prole |
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| Barnett brothers: Baden, Arthur, Stanley and Sydney Date & Photographer unknown. Photo courtesy of L Prole. |
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| Stan and Mary with their children. Date and photographer unknown, but likely to be around 1940. (Photo courtesy of L Prole) |
In 1942, Stan became a Seventh-day Adventist.
Stan's sister, Isabella (Bell) Williams died on 16 May 1959. She was buried in Foxton Cemetery in Plot 25, a short distance from their mother, Elizabeth. Isabella's husband Symon, and daughter, Mavis predeceased her.
Stan passed away on 31 July 1964, aged 74. He was buried at the Foxton Cemetery, Anglican Block 3, Plot 79. His cemetery record states that his religion was Seventh-day Adventist.
The following obituary for Stan was published in the Australasian Record, 31 August 1964:
BARNETT. On July 31, 1964, Stanley James Barnett of Foxton passed to his rest. In 1942, our brother accepted the Advent Message under the ministry of Pastor S. T. Leeder. Owing to being gassed in World War I, he did not enjoy good health and for the last seventeen years was ailing, but his courage, faith, and hope of the resurrection were always bright As he was laid to rest, our love and sympathy were expressed to his wife, Mrs. Barnett, and the family, Stan, Cedric, Ralph, Digby, Avis, and Betty. Captain Gooder from the Salvation Army assisted the writer with the service.
F.E. Baker
Mary died aged 100, on 6 December 1997. She was buried at the Foxton Cemetery alongside her husband in the Anglican Block 3, Plot 80. A photo of Stan and Mary's grave can be found here.
The children of Stan & Mary Barnett:
- Stanley (Stan) Edward Barnett (27 July 1922 - ?)
- Stan Jnr married Ngaire Moss (dates unknown).
- They had a son and a daughter, both born in Palmerston North (in 1948, and 1949).
- Avis Joyce Stark (18 November 1923 - 2008)
- Avis married James Stark (dates unknown) of Christchurch, in Levin, on 27 October 1980. They settled in Christchurch. (No children)
The following wedding notice was published in the Australasian Record on 9 March 1981:
STARK—BARNETT. The small church of Levin, in the
south of the North New Zealand Conference, was filled to
capacity on October 27, 1980, to witness the marriage of
James Stark of Christchurch, and Avis Joyce Barnett of
Foxton. As they set up their home in Christchurch, south
New Zealand, their friends wished them happiness and God's
richest blessing. H. G. P. Miller
- Rex Collin Barnett (8 December 1926 - 12 August 1927)
- Rex died in Foxton, aged 8 months.
- He is buried at Foxton Cemetery, Anglican Block 8, Plot 39.
- His religion is listed as Salvation Army.
- A photo of his grave can be seen here.
- Cedric Barnett (25 November 1930 - ?)
- Cedric married Evelyn (Lyn) Batt (dates unknown).
- They had one daughter, b1956.
- Ralph Fuller Barnett (16 March 1933 - 27 December 2008)
- Ralph died in Foxton, aged 75.
- His last address was Avenue Rd, RD 11 Foxton. He had a farm there.
- His religion is listed as Anglican.
- He is buried at the Foxton Cemetery, Lawn Block 4, Plot 25.
- A photo of his grave can be seen here.
- Betty Gyde (26 June 1936 - ?)
- Betty married Robert Gyde (dates unknown). They had no children.
- Digby Ross Barnett (17 February 1938 - 9 April 2014)
- Digby married Jessie Medcalfe (dates unknown). They had five children, all born in Palmerston North (1961, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1970)
- He died aged 76.
- His last address was 25 Slacks Rd, Palmerston.
- He is buried at the Foxton Cemetery, Lawn Block 4, Plot 22.
Sources of Information
Auckland War Memorial Online Cenotaph - Stanley James Barnett
Archives NZ - Archway Record R22272882
Wiki Tree - Stanley James Barnett
Horowhenua District Council - Cemetery Search
Photographs - L Prole & K J Bland
The Wellington Regiment NZEF 1914-1919
Extra notes:
- Ralph Barnett had a farm on Avenue Road, Foxton.
- Elizabeth Barnett, nee Lanfear, lived at Union St Foxton until her death.
Last updated 16 November 2019
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