A MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES GSM BORNEO TO LT-COL. BARNES.

Brian Arthur Stenson Barnes was born on 19th November 1925 in Peshawar, Pakistan. The son of Air Vice Marshall William Edward and Kathleen Barnes.

Barnes was educated at Downside Abbey, located in Stratton-on-the-Fosse, Somerset. After attending Sandhurst, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant into the Irish Guards (LG 22.11.1944). His service number was 330889. 

He saw service in Palestine from 1947 to 1948 as a Captain with the 1st Bn and was awarded a GSM clasp Palestine 1945 to 48. In 1965 while serving in Borneo, attached to the 2nd Bn The Parachute Regiment, Barnes was Mentioned in Despatches, announced in the London Gazette on 14th December 1965.

Barnes served in Dhofar and was awarded the Sultan of Oman's ' Sultan's Distinguished Service Medal.' 

'Lieutenant Colonel Barnes raised the Desert Regiment, trained it to a sound operational standard in only 14 months, and commanded it successfully for eight months in Dhofar.   

Throughout his time in Dhofar, Colonel Barnes led by example with strong and determined leadership. Wherever his men were operating he went, never hesitating, to share their dangers, driving along roads and tracks susceptible to mining, carrying out hazardous flights and landings to be with them. He carefully preserved his resources in flying hours and used the maximum number of men offensively against the rebels. These efforts resulted in fifteen rebels reported killed, and a larger number reported wounded. 

He proved himself a bold and resolute leader, an inspiration to his officers and men, calm and with common sense, a fine trainer, and an able administrator. I recommend that his leadership and devotion to duty in raising, training, and finally commanding his battalion on operations be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Service Medal'  

Lieutenant Colonel Barnes passed away in 2004.