BARNES, Major Ian Lyle OAM (1927-2017)Major Ian Lyle Barnes was well known throughout the Geelong region as a military historian and as a tireless worker for the community.
The
Geelong News described him in 2009:
'Ian Barnes retains his military links even though he retired from the military as a Major in the Royal Australian Artillery Corp.
Throughout his distinguished career, Mr Barnes dedicated his spare time to helping veterans and their families and more recently he became involved in restoring Fort Queenscliff.' Ian was a day student at Geelong College from February 1944 to December 1945 after earlier attendance at Geelong High School. He was awarded membership of the Order of Australia in the General Division in the Queens Birthday Honours in June 2009 for
'service to veterans in the Geelong region.'
Details of his Queen's Birthday citation are as follows:
Former Branch President, Royal United Services Institution, Geelong Branch; President, on 15 occasions; Member, for many years; Life Member, 2008.
President, Geelong and District Historical Military Trust.
Past President, Military Historical Society of Australia; Coordinator for re-enactments of notable past events; Foundation Member, Geelong Branch, since 1964; Life Member.
Military Historian, for many years; assists families in ascertaining their ancestors’ military service.
Member, Geelong Sub-Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia; former Historian; participant, Fort Queenscliff Centenary Celebrations, 1980-1982; involved in the establishment of the Fort Museum; Founding Member, 'Friends of the Fort'.
Past Committee Member, Probus Club of Kardinia; Member, for many years.
Awards include:
Reserve Force Decoration, long service award presented to officers in the Reserve elements of the Australian Defence Force.
Efficiency Decoration, long service award presented to officers in the Army Reserve prior to the establishment of the Reserve Force Decoration.
Major Ian Barnes died on 25 August 2017.
Sources: gg.gov.au; Geelong News 10 June 2009 p17; Geelong Advertiser 26 August 2017. OGC 1942.