IWM Collections

BARCLAY, William Kirk, Lieut. Disembarked Boulogne, France, 2 May 1915. Died of wounds, 20 June 1915, aged 37. Beath Western Cemetery, Fife, 896. Husband of Helen Barclay, 54 Blake Street, Brucefield, Dunfermline. COWDENBEATH LIEUTENANT WOUNDED. Lieutenant Wm. K. Barclay, 1/7th Black Watch (T.F.), eldest son of ex-Provost Barclay, Cowdenbeath, lies, dangerously wounded, in a Boulogne hospital. He has seen over 22 years’ service as a Volunteer and Territorial, having joined the Lochgelly Company in 1893. He did much to have a company established at Cowdenbeath, and when it was formed in 1906 he obtained his commission. The Scotsman, Monday, 21 June 1915, 9. CASUALTIES AMONG FIFESHIRE TERRITORIALS. Lieutenant Barclay, Cowdenbeath, severely wounded with shrapnel, from the effects of which he has since died. At a special meeting of Cowdenbeath Town Council last night, it was agreed to place on record the Council’s deep regret at the loss sustained by the death of Lieutenant W. K. Barclay, a member of the Council, who has died of wounds at Boulogne, and to express appreciation of the services rendered by him to his country and the community. The Scotsman, Tuesday, 22 June 1915, 6. DEATHS. BARCLAY. – Died at Boulogne on June 20th, of wounds received in action on16th, First Lieut. W. K. BARCLAY, 1/7th Black Watch, aged 37, beloved husband of Helen Troup, and eldest son of Mr and Mrs Charles Barclay, Cowdenbeath. Funeral (public) from Drill Hall, Cowdenbeath, Saturday, June 26th, at 3.45 P.M. Public service at 3.15. Only intimation and invitation. The Scotsman, Friday, 25 June 1915, 12. FUNERAL OF A FIFE OFFICER The funeral of Lieutenant W. K. Barclay, 1/7th Black Watch, who died in No. 7 Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, on June 20th from wounds received in action a few days earlier, took place at Cowdenbeath on Saturday afternoon. After a service had been held in the Drill Hall, the body was taken on a gun carriage supplied by the R.F.A. to Beath Cemetery, followed by a large number of mourners. A detachment of 40 soldiers from the regiment formed the firing party, and as the coffin was being lowered in the grave pipers played “Lochaber No More,” and “The Last Post” was sounded. Lieutenant Barclay was a member of Beath Parish Council and of Cowdenbeath Town Council. The Scotsman, Monday, 28 June, 1915, 8. BIRTHS. BARCLAY. – At 257 High Street, Cowdenbeath, on the 14th inst., the wife of the late Lieut. W. K. BARCLAY, 1/7th Black Watch (died of wounds at Boulogne 20th June), of a son. The Scotsman, Thursday, 16 September 1915, 11.

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In a History of Cowdenbeath, available here: electricscotland.com/council/pdf/Cowdenbeath-History_text... the following is said under a (badly reproduced) photograph of William Kirby Barclay: “Lieut. W. K. Barclay, founder of Cowdenbeath Rifle Club and original officer of Cowdenbeath Territorials, a victim of last war. “ Here are two photographs of the Cowdenbeath Rifle Club, which my great grandfather was a member of, taken around 1910. I believe that William Kirk Barclay may be in both photos, but I’m not sure about the exact person — there are at least two contenders in each photo. The photos are here: www.flickr.com/photos/fernie__and_related/51306552244/in/... www.flickr.com/photos/fernie__and_related/51305088827/in/...

GRATWICKE, PHILIP CHARLES
Rank:Lieutenant
Date of Death:30/03/1918
Age:23
Regiment/Service:Army Cyclist Corps
IX Corps Cyclist Bn
Panel ReferencePanel 90.
MemorialPOZIERES MEMORIAL
Additional Information:
Son of Charles J. and Mary Gratwicke, of 76, Ballater Rd., Brixton, London.

Name: Philip Charles Gratwicke
Death Date: 30 Mar 1918
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment: Army Cyclist Corps
Battalion: 9th Battalion
Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Comments: [Territorial]

In the 1911 Census he is recorded as being born in Lambeth, London. He was living at 76 Ballater Road, Stockwell, London with his parents Charles J & Mary and a brother Walter age 23 and sister Florence age 18. The address is still standing and is just off the A2217 Acre Lane

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/

The photo below at the NLI was taken by his brother Walter in Dublin (Walter took many photos of trams). It looks like Philip in uniform:

At the time of the 1911 census he was a scholar at the United Services College in Windsor which confirms his place of birth as Aldershot. The DSO database for the college states he was the son of Major General SS Long www.haileybury.com/medals/dso USC.htm Selden Herbert Long was named as the sole executor of the estate of Sidney Selden Long when he died on 31st January 1940.
www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34864/pages/3386/page.pdf

His Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate states that he was born 6th Oct 1895. His certificate was taken on Maurice Farham Biplane at the Military School, Brooklands on 25th January 1915. At that time he was a 2nd Lieut in the Durham Light Infantry. His address was given as 136 Shooter's Hill, Blackheath.
His Wikipedia entry refers to the MC citation:

Before ever scoring an aerial victory, he won the Military Cross (gazetted on 29 October 1915). The citation to the MC tells the tale:

"For conspicuous gallantry on several occasions, notably the following: —

"On 10 September 1915, he went out to attack an observation balloon shed with a 100-lb. bomb, but, being heavily fired at by an anti-aircraft battery, he silenced the guns with this bomb and returned for another one, with which he attacked the balloon. He only narrowly missed it as it was being deflated beside the shed.

"On 23 September he made two determined attacks on trains from 500 feet, breaking the rails in two places. On the first occasion he returned to the attack three times, and finally climbed to 1,000 feet in order to make better use of his bomb sight; on the second occasion he made most of his return journey at 1,000 feet in order better to examine villages, roads, etc.

"On 25 September he attacked a train at 500 feet under heavy rifle fire, and damaged the line. Late in the afternoon of 25 September he heard that trains were moving at 25 miles distance, and, in spite of darkness and bad weather, he volunteered to attack them. Heavy rain prevented his reaching them, so he turned to attack Peronne station, descending to 500 feet and coming under heavy anti-aircraft gun fire. This fire prevented his reaching the station, but he climbed to 1,500 feet and attacked a "Rocket" battery, silencing one of its guns."

The National Probate Calendar shows that he died on 12th December 1952 at Tamboers-Kloof Nursing Home In Cape Town, South Africa. His address in London was given as The International Sportsmens Club, Upper Grosvenor Road. Probate was granted to Marion Beatrice Long.

He also received the DSO
For great skill and daring in piloting his machine. He shot down an enemy machine, which fell in our lines, and the same day he forced another hostile machine to land in the enemy's lines. Later, he shot down another enemy machine, which fell in our lines.
Supplement to the London Gazette, 12 March 1917 (29981/2476)

His 9 aerial victories, (4 of them shared), are listed here:-
www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/long.php

The first, in August 1916, was with 29 Squadron. All the rest were with 24 Squadron and came between November 1916 and April 1917.
All came while flying a DH2 - those with 24 Squadron all while flying the same plane, (A305)

According to the biographical notes in Above The Trenches, he commanded a squadron in the United Kingdom but managed to obtain a posting back to France and joined No 46 Squadron as a flight commander on 5 July 1917. He was made acting Commanding Officer in August but by the end of the month had been posted to command No 28 Training Squadron. He later commanded No 111 Squadron in Palestine.
www.theaerodrome.com/forum/5875-post7.html

From Page 51 of Pusher Aces of World War One by John Guttman
"That same day (25th January 1917), Captain Selden Long downed an LVG from Flt Abt (A)216 in flames between Baupaume and and Clery, its crewman Ltns d R Ernst Erdmann and Gunter Kallenbach, jumping to their deaths. Long destroyed another two seater near Baupaume 48 hours later, kiling Vzfw Willy Lang and Ltn Kurt Brandt of Flt (A) 233.
books.google.co.uk/books?id=is-ij4XZRTIC&pg=PA51&...

Help piece together the Life Stories of more than 8 million men and women who made a contribution during the First World War at www.livesofthefirstworldwar.org/

Posted to No.28 Training Squadron, Castle Bromwich on 28/8/17 as Acting Squadron Commander. In that capacity he gave evidence at Coroner's Inquiries into two training fatalities which occurred while he was there. Posted to RFC Middle East on 2/1/18 embarking on 8/1/18. National Archive and other sources are as follows. Air1/369/15/231/9 & Air1/11/15/1/38 & C. Thornton - Warwickshire Coroner's Docs. & G.V.L. Lewis - Birmingham Coroner's Docs. & Air 76 & Erdington News 13/10/17

I believe the title of his book was actually "In the Blue", not "Into the Blue".