William Augustus Barrow

Thank you to Bruce Kettles for providing the service file

 

Apr 1, 1898

Born to Frederick Augustus and Annie Maria (nee Wilcox) Barrow at Swansea Wales

 

Jul 16, 1910

Embarked the SS Dominion at Liverpool England with his parents and siblings

Jul 25, 1910

Disembarked at Montreal Quebec and proceeded to Ingersoll Ontario

 

Jan 30, 1916

Attested into the 168th Battalion at Ingersoll Ontario 

Ø      Number 675421

Ø      Next of kin given as Annie Barrow, mother, of Ingersoll Ontario

Ø      Previous occupation given as Labourer

Ø      No previous military experience given

Ø      Religion given as Church of England 

The Ingersoll Company initially was in barracks and trained in Ingersoll

 

Jun 1, 1916

The 168th Battalion moved to London Ontario for further training.  From here, they proceeded to Camp Borden for more training.

 

Jun 9, 1916

Reported to be AWL (Absent Without Leave) at 10 pm

 

Jun 14, 1916

Reported for duty at 10 pm

 

Jun 16, 1916

Sentenced to 10 days detention for his absence

 

Jun 28, 1916

Admitted to a London Hospital diagnosed with Tonsillitis

 

Jul 6, 1916

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Oct 30, 1916

Embarked the SS Lapland at Halifax Nova Scotia

 

Nov 11, 1916

Disembarked at Liverpool England and proceeded to the West Sandling Camp, near Hythe Kent

 

Dec 5, 1916

The 168th Battalion was absorbed into the 39th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling Camp

 

Jan 4, 1917

The 39th Reserve Battalion was absorbed into the newly formed 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

 

Feb 1, 1917

Posted to the 21st Battalion

 

Feb 2, 1917

Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base Depot) at the Rouelles Camp at Havre France and was TOS (Taken On Strength) the 21st Battalion

 

Feb 24, 1917

Left the CBD and joined the 2nd Entrenching Battalion at Hersin as part of a draft of 68 Other Ranks destined for the 21st Battalion

 

Mar 3, 1917

Left the 2nd Entrenching Battalion as part of a draft of 20 Other Ranks to join the 21st Battalion

 

Mar 6, 1917

Joined the 21st Battalion in Divisional Reserve at Bois des Alleux

 

Apr 21, 1917

Admitted to No 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) with a diagnosis that reads PUO (Pyrexia of Unknown Origin) which is a fever without a known cause

 

Apr 22, 1917

Transferred to the No 22 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)

 

Apr 23, 1917

Transferred via the No 29 AT (Ambulance Train)

 

Apr 24, 1917

Admitted to the No 10 Stationary Hospital at St Omer

 

Apr 28, 1917

Transferred to the No 7 Convalescent Depot at Boulogne

 

May 3, 1917

Transferred to the No 3 Large Rest Camp to recuperate

 

May 7, 1917

Transferred to the No 7 Convalescent Depot

 

May 10, 1917

Discharged to duty and left to join the Battalion

 

May 14, 1917

Rejoined the 21st Battalion in billets at Aux Rietz

 

Oct 24, 1917

The Battalion was directed to board a train at Ligny St Flochel and proceed to Godewaersvelde in preparation for the attack at Passchendaele. 

While loading a transport wagon onto a railcar, the wagon accidentally rolled over Pte Barrow’s right foot causing severe pain and a contusion.  He was admitted to the No 4 CFA  and was then transferred the same day to the No 12 Stationary Hospital at St Pol

 

Oct 30, 1917

L/Col Elmer W Jones, indicating that the injury was accidental and not Pte Barrow’s fault, filed an accident report.  There were 3 statements included by witnesses to the accidental injury

 

Nov 14, 1917

Discharged to duty from hospital

 

Nov 18, 1917

He rejoined the 21st Battalion in billets at Camblain L’Abbe

 

Dec 29, 1917

Granted 14 days leave

 

Jan 12, 1918

He failed to report back from leave and was declared to be AWL

 

Jan 21, 1918

Pte Barrow was taken into custody by Military Police in London England

 

Jan 22, 1918

Transferred from the London jail to the guard house at the 6th Reserve Battalion at Seaford

 

Jan 27, 1918

Arrived at the No 2 CIBD (Canadian Infantry Base Depot) at Etaples France under escort

 

Jan 29, 1918

Left the CIBD under escort

 

Jan 31, 1918

Rejoined the 21st Battalion

 

Feb 4, 1918

Sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment No 1 for overstaying his leave and forfeited 9 day’s pay under a Royal Warrant

 

Sep 25, 1918

During the fighting at Canal du Nord, Pte Barrow was severely wounded by shrapnel in the back, arms and hip.  He was taken to a Field Ambulance for first aid, then transferred to the No 32 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux

 

Sep 27, 1918

Pte Barrow died of his wounds at the No 32 Stationary Hospital 

 


Terlingthun British Cemetery
Wimille France 

Following the war the British War Medal (shown below), Victory Medal and the Memorial Cross were sent to his mother, Mrs Annie Barrow, at 93 Wellington St, Ingersoll Ontario


The Plaque (Dead Man’s Penny) and Scroll were sent to his father, Fred Barrow, at Carnegie St, Ingersoll Ontario

 If you know the location of the missing medals, please  Contact. the webmaster

2008

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 Pte William Barrow's name being projected on the outside wall of Canada House in London England.

 



Above is the War Memorial at Ingersoll Ontario with a close up below of the names of the Barrow men who served.  This photo is courtesy of John Sargeant


A personalized commemorative volume is available that not only briefly highlights the history of the 21st Battalion, but also provides a full description of an individual's service and contribution to that history.  You will essentially receive a full colour, perfect bind, 8" x 8", 20 page book dedicated to your family member's memory.


Remember your ancestor today!

For more information, Contact. the webmaster


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