 In 1909 he was admitted to Inner Temple, to practice as a barrister, and worked as a journalist for "The Times" from 1911 to 1915.During World War I he served in the Rifle Brigade, where he reached the rank of Captain, was mentioned in despatches and, in 1917, received the Military Cross.Barnes succeeded as third Baron Gorell on 16 January 1917 after his unmarried elder brother was killed in the War.