Subsequently, he served with English coastal defence forces until the end of the war.

[2] He was also a founding member and president of the Fairlie Crown Tenant's Association branch.

[3] He represented the Waitaki electorate from 1935 to 1938, when he was defeated by National candidate David Campbell Kidd.

[6] After exiting parliament he was a member of the Rehabilitation Board and was then a Director of the State Advances Corporation from 1939 to 1954.

[3] In 1940 he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in 1940, Mr Barnes was made Adjutant of the Rongatai Training School.