Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

1/4 K.O.Y.L.I. (Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry), 146th Infantry Brigade, 49th Infantry-Division, 2nd Canadian Corps

Awarded on:

December 26th, 1944

Citation:
"On the 17th June 1944 at Cristot the mentioned NCO and two others were sent out on a daylight recce patrol to investigate a copse about 600 yards from our positions. On reaching the vicinity he saw an enemy post that appeared to be part of a platoon locality. As his party were undetected he decided to attack, trusting in the advantage of surprising the enemy to offset his disparity in numbers.
He opened fire with his Sten at close range and with the other two members of the patrol charged the post. Every enemy soldier was killed or wounded and those in dugouts were killed with grenades. By this time cross fire from the neighbouring enemy posts was sweeping the position and Cpl Barnett was wounded in the neck.
Although only half-conscious as a result of his wound, he gave his patrol covering fire which enabled them to withdraw. Having got his men out he subsequently managed to crawl back to his Coy.
Owing to his example and leadership a number of enemy was destroyed out of all proportion to the size of his patrol."

Awarded with Bronze Star.