Sep 13, 1893

Born at Macon Georgia, USA

Feb 12, 1915

Attested into the 39^th Battalion at Belleville Ontario 

Ø      Number 412084

Ø      Next of kin given as William Barran (brother) of 62 Symington Ave, Toronto Ontario

o       There is also a note in the file that in case of death to notify Miss M. McCormick (fiancée) of General Delivery, Trenton Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Machinist

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England

Ø      Assigned to Headquarters Company as Orderly Room Clerk

Apr 22, 1915

Admitted to Belleville Hospital with a diagnosis of S.M. Carrier.  (Somatomedin Carrier) which is a human growth hormone 

There is no further explanation as to symptoms or treatment

May 3, 1915

Discharged to duty from hospital

Jun 24, 1915

Embarked the SS Missanabie at Montreal Quebec

Jul 4, 1915

Disembarked at Plymouth England and proceeded to Shorncliffe Camp 

At some time after arrival in England the Battalion was designated as the 39^th Reserve Battalion.

Jul 29, 1915

Appointed to rank of Lance Cpl

Aug 11, 1915

Appointed to rank of Acting Cpl

Oct 6, 1915

Appointed to rank of Lance Sgt

Nov 13, 1915

Will made out leaving his estate to his fiancée, Miss M. McCormick, c/o General Delivery Trenton Ontario

Dec 4, 1915

Appointed to be Orderly Room Sgt with rank of Acting Sgt

Dec 6, 1915

Admitted to Moore Barracks Hospital, Shorncliffe, with Influenza

Dec 10, 1915

Discharged from hospital to duty

Dec 31, 1915

Granted leave until January 6, 1916

Jan 4, 1917

SOS (Struck Off Strength) 39^th Reserve Battalion on being posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion. 

The 39^th Reserve Battalion was disbanded at this time with the men being posted to the 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

Feb 24, 1917

Name Brought to Notice of the Secretary of War for Valuable Services Rendered in connection with the war as per WO (War Office) List 24217

Apr 17, 1917

Placed On Command to the Overseas Conducting Party to escort troops to France

Apr 20, 1917

Returned to duty from the Conducting Party

Jun 4, 1917

Ceases to draw Clerk’s pay

Jun 19, 1917

Reverts to rank of Pte at own request in order to proceed to France 

Joined a draft being sent to the 21^st Battalion

Jun 20, 1917

Arrived at 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Havre France 

TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21^st Battalion

Jul 7, 1917

Left CIBD for 2^nd Entrenching Battalion

Jul 8, 1917

Joined the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion in the field

Aug 20, 1917

Joined the 21^st Battalion in the field 

The Battalion was in billets at Fosse 10, resting and re-equipping after the fighting at Hill 70, where they suffered 271 casualties from all ranks out of a total 557 all ranks who were involved, a 48% casualty rate.

Nov 9, 1917

Admitted to No 6 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with shrapnel wounds to right hip.  He was transferred the same day to No 3 Australian CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) 

Pte Barran was part of a working party that suffered many casualties when an artillery shell landed in their midst.  The same shell explosion killed Lt JF Maloney

Nov 12, 1917

Transferred via No 21 AT (Ambulance Transport)

Nov 13, 1917

Admitted to No 1 South Africa General Hospital at Abbeville

Nov 25, 1917

Transferred to No 5 Convalescent Depot at Cayeux

Dec 16. 1917

TOS No 2 CIBD and posted to “A” Company for those convalescing from wounds

Dec 29, 1917

Arrived at CCRC (Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp)

Jan 21, 1918

Rejoined the 21^st Battalion from the CCRC 

The Battalion was in the Support Trenches at La Coulotte

Mar 3, 1918

Granted 14 days leave

Mar 19, 1918

Returned to duty from leave

Apr 2, 1918

Admitted to No 6 CFA with a gun shot wound to head.  Transferred same day to the CCS.  Due to severity of wound, was transferred immediately to No 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Doullens. 

This occurred during fighting at Neuville Vitasse. 

Reported by the No 3 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Doullens to have died of his wounds

 
Doullens Communal Cemetery
Somme France

Dec 13, 1920

Plaque and Scroll sent to his brother William Barran at Lambton Mills Ontario 

There was no Memorial Cross issued as his mother had predeceased him, and he was still single

Jan 10, 1923

British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to his fiancée, Miss M. McCormick, c/o General Delivery Trenton Ontario