The following list of items was packed up on the 29th of June
1880 by Lieutenant Colonel Charles John Moysey, Royal Engineers and sent
to his widow. This is an interesting collection of items and reveals something
of the simple necessities of an officer of this period while on service.
| 1 Military Sash | 2 Memorandum Books | 1 Gold finger ring |
| 1 Sword | 1 Fly Book | 2 sets-Silver studs |
| 1 Red Shawl | 1 Card Case | 1 set Blue links |
| 6 Plated Spoons | 1 Pen Wiper | 2 Silver watches |
| 4 Plated Forks | 1 Housewife | 1 Leather guard chain |
| 1 Plated sugartongs | 2 Leather purses | 1 Kaffir War medal |
| 1 Miniature Atlas | 1 Pocket Knife | 1 Packet of private papers |
| 1 Dictionary | 1 Pocket pen | 1 Packet photographs |
| 2 Prayerbooks | 1 Helmet plate |
Most of the items on this list are self explanatory, except for possibibly
the following items:
The "2 Prayerbooks" one of these prayer books (The Book of Common Prayer)
is inscribed: "Edward R.B.Barnes
May 28th 1879
With his sister's
fond love, and
earnest prayers."
May 28th was his birthday and the book was a present to him from his only sister, Mary Hannah Barnes Gibson, (widow of George Washington Gibson). The prayer book was given to Major Barnes shortly before he was sent to South Africa where he died a year later.
The "2 Memorandum Books" probably contained notes that would have been
of assistance to Major Barnes in doing his job as a regimental officer.
The "1 Fly Book" is probably a reference to a case used to carry "flies" for fly fishing. These flies were hand tied and were very prized. It is interesting to note that there are no sport rifles or fishing poles listed in the personal items. These items would probably have been sold on his death to other officers in the regiment.
The "1 Housewife" refers to a pocket-case that would have contained needles, pins, thread, scissors, etc., necessary for the repair of clothing.
The "1 Kaffir War Medal" is Major Barne's South Africa Campaign Medal 1834-1853. This medal is impressed with his name and regiment as follows: "LT. E.R.B. BARNES CAPE TN. LEVY" (His regiment is the Cape Town Levy).
It would certainly be of interest, purely historical of course, to be able to have a peek at the "1 Packet private papers" and at the "1 Packet photographs".