Major Edward Robert Bigsby Barnes.

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Major Edward Robert Bigsby Barnes,
37th (The North Hampshire) Regiment of Foot,
and 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment of Foot,
(Lieutenant, 37th Ft. in the photograph of the portrait.)

Born 28 May 1834 at Presteign, Radnorshire, Wales. 
Kaffir War 1850-1853 Volunteered (16 years of age) on the outbreak of the Kaffir War in 1850, and was appointed a Lieutenant in a Native Corps, the Cape Town Levy, and served under Sir Harry Smith and Sir George Cathcart from January 1851 to March 1853. He accompanied the first patrol to leave King William's Town on the 30th of January 1851. He was present at the engagements of the 17th of February, 6th of March, 16th of April, and at the Passage of the Kei on the 4 th of December 1851. Served in many other minor engagements until the end of this period of the Kaffir Wars in 1853. (Medal) 
Ensign, by purchase 24 June 1853. 
Lieutenant, by purchase 10 August 1855. 
Captain, by purchase 6 May 1859. 
Exchanged into the 35th Foot 25 November 1860. 
Brevet Major, 5 July 1872.
OBITUARY.The Diamond Fields Advertiser. Kimberley, Monday, June 14, 1880. original, [in effects of G.E.H.Carnegy, widow of Major Barnes]

"We regret to hear of the death of Major Edward R. B. Barnes, 35th Regiment, which occurred at the Carnarvon Hospital on Friday morning last.

The deceased was the third son of Major Barnes, formerly Magistrate of Caledon, and in the Kaffir war of 1852 he served as an officer of the native levies, and was present at several engagements. Obtaining his commission in the army in 1854, Major Barnes was, after a varied service in all quarters of the globe, selected as one of the special officers for service in the Zulu campaign, but landed when that war was practically at an end. Owing to his knowledge of the Dutch language, he was offered the post of Commissioner in the Bloemhof district by the Transvaal Government, and subsequently became Acting Landdrost at Christiana on the death of Mr. Best.

Unwilling to leave his post, and away from medical advice when suffering from diabetes, Major Barnes' health gradually gave way, and when removal to Kimberley became imperative was in a most critical state. Pneumonia set in, and death followed after five weeks, in spite of careful nursing and unremitting attendance.

The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon with military honours. The procession left the Hospital at half-past three, headed by a firing party of the G.W. Constabulary with reversed arms, under the command of Capt. Ramsay Steuart. The coffin was drawn on a gun carriage of the G.W. Artillery by six horses, a Union Jack served as pall, surmounted by the sword, sash and helmet of the deceased. The pall-bearers were the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Treasurer-General, the Auditor-general, Major Maxwell, Inspector General of Prisons, and Major Rolleston, Commanding Diamond Field Horse.

His honor the Administrator and Lieut-Colonel Moysey, R.E., were chief mourners followed by Capt. Ward, Mining Surveyor, Mr. Hayes, Late 33rd Regt., and others. The rear was formed by the G.W.Artillery, under command of Capt. Runchman. Three volleys over the grave marked the last salute to the remains of a soldier, cut off at the age of 46, leaving in England a wife and children to mourn his untimely loss."
Photograph of Major Barnes and Family.

OBITUARY.Newspaper Library, Colindale. The Times. Thurs. (sic), Jun 13 1880. p.10, col. 6.

"Major E.R.B.Barnes late of the 35th (Royal Sussex) Regiment, whose death has just been recorded, volunteered on the outbreak of the Kaffir War in 1850, was appointed a Lieutenant in a native corps, and served under Sir Harry Smith and Sir George Cathcart from January 1851 until March 1853. He accompanied the first patrol that left King William's Town on Jan. 30 1851 and was present at the engagements of Feb 17, Mar 6 and Apr 16 and at the passage of the Kei on Dec 4, besides many other minor encounters with the enemy during the war. For his services he received the medal."

Source:NINETEENTH CENTURY BRITISH AND INDIAN ARMIES AND THEIR SOLDIERS

From Mack & Shadbolt
Barnes proceeded to the Cape with drafts , and served with the field force in the later phases of the war .
90th