MB ChB Manch 1930; FRCS Eng 1933.
Barnes studied at Manchester and America, being the Dickinson Research Travelling Scholar in Medicine. After qualifying, Barnes held house positions at MRI before being appointed orthopaedic surgeon at Leigh Infirmary. Barnes was also honorary orthopaedic surgeon at Woods Hospital Glossop and chief assistant to the Orthopaedic Unit at MRI. He was a member of Manchester Medical Society and Manchester Surgical Society.