Percy Lewis Barber


The above certificates courtesy of Marika Pirie

 

 

Apr 3, 1893

Born at Southport Lancashire England

 

Jun 16, 1915

Shown on payroll of the 38th Battalion with rank of Lieutenant

 

Jul 12, 1915

Transferred to the 59th Battalion

 

Feb 6, 1916

Signed an Officer’s Declaration into the 59th Battalion at Brockville Ontario 

Ø     Given rank of Lieutenant

Ø     Next of kin given as Rev F Louis Barber (father) of Picton Ontario

Ø     Previous occupation given as Teacher

Ø     Previous military experience given as 16th Prince Edward Regiment

Ø     Religion given as Anglican

 

Apr 2, 1916

Embarked the SS Olympic at Halifax

  

 

Apr 11, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England

 

Apr 23, 1916

Sent on course at the Entrenching School at Bramshott

 

Apr 29, 1916

Returned from course

 

Jun 5, 1916

Proceeded on Musketry Course at Bessborough

 

Jun 10, 1916

Returned from course

 

Jun 13, 1916

Placed On Command to the Hythe Musketry School

 

Jul 6, 1916

Warned for O/S (Overseas, meaning France) and attached to the 39th Battalion

 

Aug 2, 1916

Transferred to the 21st Battalion in France

 

Aug 3, 1916

TOS (Taken On Strength) 21st Battalion as a Supernumerary Officer

 

Sep 15, 1916

Received several wounds from a HE (High Explosive) shell and taken to Field Ambulance 

Wounds were to scalp, hands, face and left thigh

 

Sep 16, 1916

Transferred to No 49 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) then transferred to the No 11 AT (Ambulance Transport)

 

Sep 17, 1916

Admitted to No 20 General Hospital at Etaples

 

Sep 20, 1916

Invalided to England aboard the Hospital Ship Stad Antwerpen

  

TOS the CTD (Canadian Training Depot) while in hospital and posted to the “Y” list 

Admitted to the Anstie Grange Hospital, Cambridge, Aldershott

 

Sep 25, 1916

Medical Board at Aldershott determines he will be unfit for service for 1 month, rehabilitation needed for slight shock symptoms

 

Oct 10, 1916

Discharged from hospital 

Address – Imperial Hotel, Southampton Ave., WC – 39th Reserve Battalion, Shorncliffe

 

Oct 16, 1916

Medical Board determines that the wounds were slight with no permanent damage, and that he will be unfit for general service for 3 weeks

 

Nov 6, 1916

Medical Board declares him recovered and fit for general service

 

Nov 7, 1916

SOS (Struck Off Strength) on transfer to Crowborough and attached to the 1st Canadian Training Battalion

 

Dec 14, 1916

Proceeded to France to rejoin the 21st Battalion

 

Dec 16, 1916

Arrived at CBD (Canadian Base Depot) France and TOS the 21st Battalion

 

Dec 17, 1916

Left CBD to join unit

 

Dec 19, 1916

Joined the 21st Battalion in the field

 

Mar 6, 1917

Proceeded to Canadian Corps School for instructional course 

No date recorded for his return

 

May 9, 1917

Admitted to No 14 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with slight shrapnel wound to face, then transferred to the CCS at Aubigny

 

May 10, 1917

Admitted to No 3 General Hospital at Le Treport

 

May 24, 1917

Discharged to base from hospital

 

May 29, 1917

TOS No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot)

 

Jun 26, 1917

Left to join unit in the field

 

Jun 29, 1917

Rejoined the 21st Battalion from hospital

 

Jul 15, 1917

Proceeded on course at the 1st Army School

 

Aug 12, 1917

Rejoined from course

 

Aug 14, 1917

The Battalion’s war diary reports that Lt Barber was slightly wounded by falling during the attack on Hill 70.  There is no mention in the file for him receiving medical attention.

 

Oct 7, 1917

Granted 10 days leave

 

Oct 20, 1917

Rejoined battalion from leave

 

Nov 3, 1917

First reported wounded, then reported as Killed In Action

 

 

 

 Tyne Cot Cemetery
Passchendaele Belgium

 

Feb 10, 1920

Cross of Sacrifice sent to Mrs Florence Louise Barber (mother) c/o The Rectory, Picton Ontario

 

Apr 30, 1921

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to his father, Rev F Louis Barber, Picton Ontario

 

Nov 19, 1921

Plaque and Scroll sent to his father, Rev F Louis Barber, Picton Ontario

 

 

During the Remembrance Day ceremonies in 2008, Veteran's Affairs Canada conducted a vigil each night for the week leading up to November 11.  This vigil consisted of projecting the names of every Canadian soldier who is listed with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on various buildings and monuments across Canada, and in London England.  The photo below shows Percy Barber's name being projected on the outside wall of Canada House in London England.

 


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