DOCTOR BARNES
BARNES, John Wickham (1830-1899) M.R.C.S., Feb 18th, 1853; F.R.C.S.,June 8th, 1865; L.S.A., 1853
Born at Bath, Somerset here his father had long been in general practice. His grandfather and youngest brother were also medical practitioners.
He entered Charing Cross Hospital in 1849, attending also the adjacent Royal Westminster Hospital, where he had the advantage of G.J. Guthrie's (q.v.) teaching. Guthrie apprenticed his young pupil, and for two half-yearly periods he acted as House Surgeon, subsequently becoming a Life Governor of the Institution. Next he was appointed House Surgeon to the Kent County Ophthalmic Hospital, Maidstone. Having to leave on his marriage in 1853, he started practice in Maidstone, then moved to Aylesford. Desiring to practice in London he accepted the post of District Medical Officer for Islington at 40 Pounds a year, where although the area was small he was able to develop a practice which brought him in 1000 Pounds after one year. The appointment led him to espouse the cause of the Poor Law Medical Officers. He was Hon. Secretary of the Poor Law Medical Officers' Association for twenty years, the office being at 3 Bolt Court, Fleet Street. He laboured to secure a legal superannuation allowance for Poor Law Officers, then a voluntary matter with Boards of Guardians and only occasionally given. His continued exertions in conjunction with his friend, Joseph Rogers, met their reward in the Poor Law Officers' Superannuation Act of 1896. He received two silver medals from the Medical Society of London for his services in the matter
For a quarter of a century he was Surgeon in the Middlesex Volunteer Artillery and retired with the rank of Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel and with the Volunteer Decoration.
About three years before he died he went to live at Walton-on-the-Naze but, shortly before his death on October 12th, 1899, he moved back to London.
Doctor John Barnes was also a recipient of the Key to the City Of London.
His son, Dr. Raglan W. Barnes, followed him in the medical profession and at the time of his death was serving in South Africa as a Major in the R.A.M.C
References
The above information is all I have about Dr J.W. Barnes. I do know however, that my great-grandmother, Lucy JENKINS, resided with him from 1881 to 1891; and had three children by him. After Dr Barnes death in 1899, Lucy had another child, Queenie Mary GEORGE with Henry George, whom she may have married although I've no proof of this as yet.
As a family historian, I would dearly love to learn more about my great-grandmother and the doctor but I'm afraid that it has all been hidden in the distant and murky past. In doing so, it would not be to pass judgement. On the contrary, by learning about my great grandmother it would enable me to find out more about my JENKINS line of which I know nothing.
I do not presume to take a high moral ground while endeavouring to learn about my ancestors deeds or misdeeds. Heaven knows the trials and tribulations they may have gone through, particularly in working class London.
Whilst researching the background of Dr Barnes and my great- grandmother, I can only hope that my work has been perceived with good humour and a healthy respect of the past. Albeit, I think the skeleton in the closet is a nice touch!
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