This beautiful family photograph was taken at Curragh Camp, Kildare in 1873 and the family members are left to right: "Arty" Arthur (son, born 1867); Edward R.B.B. of the 35th Foot (see cap);"Nuttie" Harriet Mary Barnes (daughter of James W.), (born ca 1858); Georgiana, his wife; and "Eddy" Edward Alexander (son, Kay's grandfather, b. 1865, Private Edward Alexander Barnes)
The dress of the women and children is typical of the style of civilian clothing of the 1870's.
Major Barnes is wearing an infantry patrol jacket. The jacket is probably an 1868 pattern. The ribbon bar for his South African medal is visible on his left chest. The forage cap clearly shows the number "35" of the 35 th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot.
Harriet Mary Barnes, visiting with her uncle Edward, and his family
in the photograph, was affectionately known as "Nuttie" by her young cousins
(her father, Major General James Whittaker
Barnes,
, was the eldest brother of her uncle Edward). "Nuttie" was born about
1858-59 and never married. She lived in Lausanne, Switzerland, in her later
years and died there in 1933. She requested that she be cremated and buried
with her parents in Highland Road cemetery, Southsea, Portsmouth. This,
and other photographs, suggests that these families made every effort to
keep in touch with each other in spite of the frequent moves to far-flung
places demanded by Army life.
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Georgiana Eliza Hunter Carnegy Barnes lived in India more than
half her life. The daughter of an Indian Army officer, (See:
Major General Alexander Carnegy, C.B.,
) she was born in Huuper, baptized in Meerut, and married in Fyzabad.
After her marriage to Captain Barnes in 1863, two children were born in Dhurmsala
in the Punjab, and in Kashmir. After some 35 years in India, Georgiana and
family went back to England in 1868 where the family lived at various stations
before her husband was sent to Jamaica, then to South Africa where he died
unexpectedly at the age of 46. (See:
List of Personal Belongings
) When he learned of his mortal illness, her husband sent in the required
papers for the return of his purchase money, valued at £3,200, but
he died within three weeks; Georgiana struggled unsuccessfully with War Office
red tape after his death but the War Office rule of six weeks between application
and death prevented her from receiving the purchase monies.
At this point in her life, Georgiana seemed most intent on the futures
of her two sons; the youngest, Arthur, entered Fettes College in Edinburgh
which was set up for the schooling of children whose parents could not pay
for a decent education. He later was enrolled at RMC, Sandhurst, and, following
family tradition, made the Army his career. He served in the Duke of Edinburgh's
Wiltshire Regiment, the Chinese Regiment at Weihaiwei, and as Commandant
of the Shanghai Volunteers. Edward, the elder son was eventually sent to
London to apprentice at an early telephone company and at the age of 20
went to the U.S. and eventually made a successful career as an electrical
engineer. He became the general superintendant of the Fort Wayne, Indiana
Electrical Works (later part of General Electric Co.) Georgiana visited
this son many times and died while at his home in Indiana. Her life, from
India to Indiana, could not have been an easy one. She has shown the great
courage, determination, and commitment to family that was often required
from women who were married to British soldiers in the 19th century.
A memorial plaque hangs in St. John's Episcopal Church, Forfar, Scotland,
reads: "WHOM THE LORD LOVETH HE CHASTENETH - I.H.S., 1880 E.R.B.B. To the
Glory of God and in loving memory of GEORGIANA ELIZA HUNTER CARNEGY born
August 13th 1833 died August 13th 1900 at Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.A. Widow
of MAJOR E.R.B. BARNES, 35th Regt, daughter of Major General Alexander Carnegy,
C.B. This memorial is erected by her two sorrowing sons."