Hi,

From 1922 to 1936, Eddie Barnes was chief engineer of the MER and general manager from 1936 to 1952. The Barnes family were related by marriage to my mother Christine May Elaine Brown, and Eddie had a daughter Dorothy who was about the same age as my mother (born 1906). Sadly Dorothy was killed in a hospital accident some time in the 1930s.

Dorothy and Elaine were great friends when they were teenagers, Dorothy travelling up to Ramsey to stay with Elaine's family, and Elaine visiting Douglas and staying with the Barnes who lived in the MER Engineer's company house in Strathallen Crescent. Apart from Dorothy, Eddie had a son (Jack ?) who became a professional photographer in Douglas.

I am writing a book on the MER (I wrote an earlier volume on the MER in the 1970s) and would really like to include a photo of Eddie Barnes. Can anyone put me in touch with the Barnes family ?

Whilst on that topic, Eddie's boss was Frank Edmondson. If there are any descendants of Frank Edmondosn, then I would also love to get into contact, as previous accounts of the MER have never really paid much attention to the personal side. These people did a great deal of good for the Island and deserve proper recognition.

best wishes

Robert Hendry