It is very rare these days I find a person in my family tree I have neglected to research. Walter William Barnes was born in 23rd Oct 1872 in Hurst Berkshire. He is my great uncle. I have his birth certificate and baptism record. Walter's parents were Thomas Barnes and Charlotte (nee Goddard). Thomas died when Walter was 2 years old and Charlotte went onto marry Charles Byde shortly after. Charlotte and her family were never far from the workhouse. I have seen the 1881 census for Walter Barnes aged 8 living in Binfield, Berkshire with his mother and step father but this is the last sighting I have of him. I think I just gave up on any hope of working this out. I wonder if anyone has any ideas. With many thanks Elizabeth
Have you tried immigration? There a couple of Walter Barnes' on the 1900 US Census. Both born 1872. One in New York, a butler and the other in Connecticut. Both emigrated 1890/91
I think I will revisit the possibility of emigration. In 1887 there was a newspaper report for a Workhouse Offence, it says Walter Barnes late of Easthampstead Union was charged with absconding with a suit of their clothes in his possession. He pleaded guilty and got 14 days hard labour. My Walter Barnes would have been 15 years old. Do you think he would have absconded with a suit of clothing at that age? The family did live in the Easthampstead area and did frequent the workhouse.
On the 1891 is Walter Barnes age 18 (but) born St Giles Berkshire, not that far from Hurst. He is a Private, a patient in the Military Hospital at Alverstoke Hampshire. On a (UK) Military site is a Walter William Barnes, service number 142039, record dated 1887. I have no idea how to navigate around your National Archives but perhaps FMP may have more onfo.
Nothing coming up on FMP with that service number except for a chap named Alfred WRIGHT and a whole load of SMITHs.
There is also Walter Barnes 1891 #161630, and Walter Barnes 1898 #290584. Any of these could be the Walter on the 1891 in Alverstoke. There are a couple in 1916, Walter William, but I think they are too late Just an afterthought. What if, because of his naughty behavior could he have been sent to a military establishment to reform?
I am probably getting to hung up on the word suit. I just thought Walter would be a 'labourer' and what would a 15 year old labourer be doing in a suit.
There is a logic to this, his brother my grandfather ended up a stoker in the Navy. The family were so poor and for them it was about survival. It's funny I always thought poverty would be worse in London and the big cities but my Berkshire family are telling me a different story.
Thank you I have just looked at one of the military records (military nos 3415) and can discount this chap. He served 1890-1892 and from the records it can be seen that he is the chap in the Military hospital in 1891. Bother. Anyway I am grateful for the nudge to look at this. Thank you