Charles Barnes was born in Oil Springs, Ontario on February 15, 1898, the son of George Barnes and Annie (nee Campbell) Barnes, of 413 Confederation Street, Sarnia. His siblings included George Walter (born 1894); John Thomas (born 1896); Robert Clayton (born 1899); Reta Mae (born 1902); and Kathleen Victoria (born 1904). Charles’ brother Robert, a former employee of the Mueller Company, served with the Royal Canadian Engineers in France. His other brother John, enlisted in the United States Medical Corps, attaining the rank of Sergeant. Both of his sisters, Reta and Kathleen would become nurses. Prior to enlisting, Charles was employed at the Imperial Oil Limited. Charles enlisted in London, Ontario on May 27, 1918. At the time, he listed his occupation as Still Helper Imperial Oil Company, and that he was single. He would become a member of the Army, Canadian Infantry, Western Ontario Regiment, 4th Reserve Battalion with the rank of Private.
Charles Barnes left London, Ontario for overseas on September 27, 1918. Two weeks later, on October 10, 1918, he would lose his life while at sea on his way to England, on board the SS City of Cairo. In mid-October of 1918, his father George Barnes in Sarnia was officially notified that his son, Private Charles Harris Barnes 2356758 had died at sea on route to England, on board the SS City of Cairo, October 10th of broncho-pneumonia. Charles Barnes would later be officially listed as, Died on board H.M.T. ‘City of Cairo’ of acute bronchial pneumonia. Buried at sea. Twenty-year old Charles Barnes has no known grave. He is memorialized on the Halifax Memorial, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Panel 1.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, L, N, 2C, 2D, 2G