May 15, 1897

Born in Clayton, Ontario to David and Grace Margaret (nee Thull) Barr

Oct 29, 1917

Medical examination conducted under the MSA (Military Service Act) of 1917 in Ottawa, Ontario.  He was declared fit for service 

His brother, David, reported for his medical exam under the MSA 9 days earlier

Jan 3, 1918

Conscripted under the MSA into the 1^st Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment in Kingston, Ontario

Ø      Number 3055348

Ø      Next of kin given as Mrs. D. Barr, mother, RR No. 2, Clayton, Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Farmer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Presbyterian 

His brother, David, was conscripted in Ottawa 3 weeks later

Feb 21, 1918

Embarked SS Melita in Halifax, Nova Scotia as part of the 1^st Depot Battalion, Eastern Ontario Regiment’s 3^rd Draft

Mar 4, 1918

Disembarked in Liverpool, England and the draft proceeded to Seaford.  On arrival in Seaford, the entire draft was absorbed into the 6^th Reserve Battalion for additional training.  Wilford joined his brother David in the 6^th Reserve Battalion as he had arrived the previous month

Aug 9, 1918

Transferred to the 21^st Battalion and proceeded to France, joining the No. 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) in Etaples, France and TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion.  By this time David had not only preceded him to the 21^st Battalion, but had been killed in action the previous day.  Wilford effectively was the reinforcement that replaced him.

Aug 13, 1918

Left the CIBD to join his battalion

Aug 15, 1918

Joined the 21^st Battalion Rear Details near Roiseres, France as part of a draft of 48 reinforcements.  At this time the battalion was fighting in the front lines near Marcelcave.

Aug 17, 1918

The rear details joined the main body of the battalion in Guillaucourt when they were relieved from the front line action.

Aug 27, 1918

Private Wilford Barr was killed in action during the advance on the Sensee River, near Vis-en-Artois, just 10 days after joining the battalion, in his first action against the enemy.  He was buried in the Vis-en-Artois Cemetery, Haucourt, France.  A large number of the graves in this cemetery have 2 soldiers per plot and Private Barr is buried with a 20^th Battalion man.

Following the war the British War Medal, Victory Medal, and Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs. Grace Barr, RR No. 2 Clayton, Ontario

The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, D.E. Barr, at the same address