Apr 12, 1887

Born at Tottenham, London, England

Feb 18, 1915

Attested into the 39^th Battalion at Port Hope Ontario 

Ø      Number 412538

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs Alice Smith, sister, of 6 Rumbold Road, Hoddesdon, Hertford, England

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to “B” Company

Mar 20, 1915

Appointed to the rank of Acting Lance Corporal

May 21, 1915

Reverted to the rank of Private

Jun 17, 1915

Embarked the RMS Missanabie at Montreal Quebec

Jul 4, 1915

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to Shorncliffe

Sep 24, 1915

The Battalion moved to the West Sandling Camp

Nov 9, 1915

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion

Nov 10, 1915

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at Havre France as part of a draft of 268 reinforcements from England 

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Nov 12, 1915

Left the CBD to join the Battalion

Nov 19, 1915

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the front lines near Ridgewood 

There is no explanation as to why it took 7 days to travel approximately 150 miles.

Apr 8, 1916

Pte Barr was wounded in the left leg while on a patrol near the “P” trenches, not far from Scottish Wood.  He was taken to the No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid.  He was then transferred to No 7 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) for further treatment

Apr 10, 1916

Transferred to No 23 Canadian General Hospital for treatment

Apr 25, 1916

Discharged from hospital to the Base Depot at Etaples and assigned to “A” Company for those recovering from wounds and illness

Apr 28, 1916

Discharged to Base Details at #3 Base Depot at Boulogne

May 4, 1916

Pte Barr left the Base Depot to rejoin the Battalion

May 6, 1916

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion in Corps Reserve at the “B” Camp, near Poperinghe Belgium where they were carrying out training exercises and supplying work parties to the front

Sep 15, 1916

The 21^st Battalion began an advance on a German strong point in a sugar refinery at Courcelette.  This was the Battalion’s first experience fighting with the new tanks brought onto the battlefield by the British. 

The Battalion suffered very heavy casualties over the next 2 days.  The Battalion would typically go into combat with approximately 600 all ranks, sometimes more, most often less.  On the morning of September 18, roll call revealed that 405 all ranks had become casualties (killed, wounded, and missing) in the 2 days of fighting. 

Pte Barr was among those wounded and taken first to a Field Ambulance for first aid, then to a Casualty Clearing Station for treatment.

Sep 18, 1916

Pte HE Barr died of his wounds at the No 3 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

Puchervillers British Cemetery
Somme France 

Following the war the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal were sent to his sister, Mrs A Smith, at 6 New Cottages, Rumbold Cottages, Rye Park, Hoddesdon, Hertford, England. 

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his brother, Arthur B Barr, 6 Emblem St, Bolton, Lancashire, England. 

There was no Memorial Cross issued