George Barnard MM
George Barnard was born in Great Bardfield on 17th May 1893 and lived in Rayne which at the beginning
of the 20th Century was in the parish of Felstead.
In 1901 the family is resident at Rayne Street, Felstead:
Frederick Barnard -age 35 - Granary Man in corn warehouse - born Gt.
Bardfield.
Fanny Barnard - age 34 - born Finchingfield.
Annie Barnard - age 9 - born Gt. Bardfield.
George Barnard - age 7 - born Gt. Bardfield.
George went to Rayne School, being admitted on 1st December 1899, leaving on 2nd March 1906 to work in a kitchen.
In 1911 the family is
still at Rayne Street, Felstead:
Frederick Barnard - age 45 - Warehouseman - born Gt. Bardfield.
Fanny Barnard - age 45 - born Finchingfield.
George Barnard - age 17 - Foundry Labourer - born Gt. Bardfield.
George enlisted in Chelmsford.
In 1916, George Barnard was mentioned in dispatches for gallant and distinguished conduct in the field by Douglas Haig, G.C.B. Commander-in-Chief in France.
The London Gazette of 14th September 1916 records that "His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to award the Military Medal for bravery in the field" to "Corporal G. Barnard, Essex R."
George clearly showed his worth in battle earning his gallantry medal and a promotion to Serjeant but died in action before his Military Medal had been confirmed.
George served as a Serjeant 12263 with the 9th Battalion of the Essex Regiment. He was killed on 11th August 1916, and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial having no known grave.
After a period in reserve after the fighting of early July, the 9th Essex returned to the trenches near Orvilliers during the first week of August. On the 11th August the trenches were heavily shelled, the Battalion suffering 110 men killed and wounded. Sergeant Barnard, was one of these casualties.