Charles Thomson Carl Barnard was born in Luton in October 1896.

In 1911 he is 14 years old & living with his family at 203 Castle Street.

His father Charles 45, is a partner in the straw hat materials firm of Barnard and Dawson (23-27 King Street, Luton), his mother Emily Jane (nee Punter), 46, is at home with the children, Emily Gladys 13 & 11 year old Robert Hugh. Charles' older sister Nellie is 16 years old & is working as a ledger clerk.

Charles enlisted into the 24th Battalion Middlesex Regiment on 5th October 1915. He is 19 year old, working as a clerk & living at 31 London Road. On his service record he is described as being 5ft 8 1/2 inches tall with a distinguishing feature of a mole in between his shoulder blades.

Sadly just five weeks after enlisting Charles died in the Bute Hospital, Luton, of acute peritonitis. The Luton News reported that he died on the day after his 19th birthday.

He had undergone training at Waldringham, Surrey, but the week before his death the battalion moved nearer to Luton. He was on his way home on leave when he was suddenly taken ill. Concerned about his condition, his parents called Dr Lloyd and Dr Bone, who diagnosed acute appendicitis. He was taken to hospital on Sunday morning and he died there the same evening after his condition became worse and he was too ill for an operation.

Pte Barnard was a former pupil of Luton Modern School who played football for the school team. In 1914 he was articled to Messrs Crew, Turnbull and Co, of London, as a chartered accountant and worked in the City. He came third in England in his first examination.

A funeral service for Pte Barnard was held at the General Cemetery, Luton, on Friday, November 12th, 1915, conducted by the Rev G. Roberts Hern, of Park Street Baptist Church. Burial there followed.