Private George Barnes was born around 1873 in Newington, Surrey. He enlisted into the Sherwood Foresters in 1892. He had regimental number 3459 and served in the 2nd Battalion. 

In his first years with the Regiment, George was reported on in the regimental magazine I’m 95. In 1894, I’m 95 noted that George was with “B” Company and was awarded good conduct pay of 1d with immediate effect. The following year his 3rd class certificate of education was mentioned. 

George would serve with the 2nd Battalion in the Tirah Campaign 1897-98, in Northwest India. After this service, George would transfer to the 1st Battalion. 

It was with the 1st Battalion that George served with during the Second Boer War (1899-1902). He is recorded as being part of the draft that joined at Rustenburg on the 8th of April 1902.  

He moved to the army reserve after the war in 1903