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Corporal Arthur James Barnett
Description
TitleCorporal Arthur James BarnettSummaryA soldier in World War One. DescriptionArthur was born 4 January 1893 at Tai Tapu, son of Matthew and Jane Barnett, of "Woodbine". He received his education at the local school and the West Christchurch District High School, after which he became a teacher. Before enlisting he was working for the North Canterbury Education board on the staff of the Shirley school, and had just received an appointment to Waltham, a position which was held open for him. He had almost completed his B.A. degree. Arthur was also a teacher at the Tai Tapu Methodist Sunday school and had always taken a keen interest in Church matters. He was a member of the local cricket club, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. He had previous military experience with the School Cadets and Territorials. Arthur was 5ft 10½in tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and black hair.
Arthur enlisted on 3 May 1916 and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 18th Reinforcements. He embarked for Plymouth on 11 October 1916 on board the Tofua and marched into Sling camp 29 December 1916. He left for France on 1 March 1917 and was killed three months later aged 24 on 7 June 1917, the first day of the Battle of Messines. His body was not identified and a Court of Enquiry found that he was missing believed killed in action. He was one of 12 Selwyn men killed that day. His name is inscribed on the Messines Ridge Memorial to the Missing. In New Zealand Arthur is remembered on the Tai Tapu War Memorial & Tai Tapu Roll of Honour.
First NameArthur JamesLast NameBarnettFamilySingleSon of Matthew and Jane Barnett, of "Woodbine"Date of Birth4 January 1893Place of BirthTai Tapu, SelwynDate of Death7 June 1917Place of DeathMessines, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death24
Arthur enlisted on 3 May 1916 and was assigned to the Canterbury Infantry Regiment, 18th Reinforcements. He embarked for Plymouth on 11 October 1916 on board the Tofua and marched into Sling camp 29 December 1916. He left for France on 1 March 1917 and was killed three months later aged 24 on 7 June 1917, the first day of the Battle of Messines. His body was not identified and a Court of Enquiry found that he was missing believed killed in action. He was one of 12 Selwyn men killed that day. His name is inscribed on the Messines Ridge Memorial to the Missing. In New Zealand Arthur is remembered on the Tai Tapu War Memorial & Tai Tapu Roll of Honour.
First NameArthur JamesLast NameBarnettFamilySingleSon of Matthew and Jane Barnett, of "Woodbine"Date of Birth4 January 1893Place of BirthTai Tapu, SelwynDate of Death7 June 1917Place of DeathMessines, BelgiumCause of DeathKilled in action Age at Death24
Connections
CollectionSoldiers of Selwyn World War OneImageTai Tapu War MemorialMore InformationAuckland War Memorial Cenotaph
Military Service
Memorial or CemeteryMessines Ridge Memorial to the MissingTai Tapu War Memorial Occupation before EnlistingTeacher Regiment or ServiceCanterbury Infantry Regiment Enlistment Details3rd May 1916Service Number22182Rank Last HeldCorporal Embarkation11th October 1916TransportTofuaTheatre of WarWestern FrontReinforcement18th ReinforcementsCountryNew Zealand
Attribution
Researched ByL. M. Seaton
Corporal Arthur James Barnett. Selwyn Stories, accessed 16/05/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/397