William Augustus Barrow

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 168^th 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 168^th 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 168^th Battalion was absorbed into the 39^th Reserve Battalion at West Sandling Camp
Jan 4, 1917	The 39^th Reserve Battalion was absorbed into the newly formed 6^th Reserve Battalion at Seaford
Feb 1, 1917	Posted to the 21^st 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 21^st Battalion
Feb 24, 1917	Left the CBD and joined the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion at Hersin as part of a draft of 68 Other Ranks destined for the 21^st Battalion
Mar 3, 1917	Left the 2^nd Entrenching Battalion as part of a draft of 20 Other Ranks to join the 21^st Battalion
Mar 6, 1917	Joined the 21^st 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 21^st 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 21^st 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 6^th 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 21^st 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