"[9] In late 1936 the Rockhampton Cricket Association commended Barnes for a century he scored against a combined South Queensland side, whose bowling attack included Eddie Gilbert, and suggested he should be considered for State selection.

[10][11] The Rockhampton Morning Bulletin harshly criticized the Queensland Cricket Association for not mentioning Barnes century in its annual report for the season.

[12] Barnes scored 456 runs at an average of 30 for Wandals in the 1936-37 season, improving on his aggregate of 324 at 20 for 1935-36, and a Rockhampton paper described him as a "consistent and accomplished batsman.

[19] Barnes' cricket career was interrupted by World War II and he served in the Army in Port Moresby and Bougainville in Papua New Guinea.

I consider him to be one of the best stroke makers in Central Queensland and if arrangements could be made whereby he could coach players on a good practice wicket the standard would rise rapidly.