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.

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/

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/...

CWGC details Name: BUTLER, EDWARD LIONEL AUSTIN Initials: E L A Nationality: Australian Rank: Second Lieutenant Regiment/Service: Australian Infantry, A.I.F. Unit Text: 12th Bn. Date of Death: 23/08/1916 Additional information: Son of Edward Henry and Fanny Amy Butler, of Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: III. A. 10. Cemetery: PUCHEVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=510923 Grave Marker can be viewed here twgpp.org/information.php?id=2043905

Descendant of Gamaliel Butler? Yes Known as Leo, b. 10/04/1883, d. 23/08/1916. Fourth generation in family law firm, Butler, MacIntyre and Butler, apparently played first class cricket for Tasmania. A memorial window was erected at St Davids Cathedral, Hobart. Dedicated to his memory on 16/08/1917. next of kin E.H. (Edward Henry) Butler (Father), Solicitor, Hobart. b1851, d1928. Mother - Fanny Amy Butler nee Clerk. Brother - Angus Leicester Butler, b1885, d1965 (wife Marjorie nee Ellis) no children. A cousin of my Gran. www.ww1westernfront.gov.au/pozieres-windmill/aif-memorial...

Leo may have seen the same trenches as my Grandfather's brother!

Although in different Battalions, they moved backwards and forwards gaining ground, then loosing it again, with sometimes heavy loss of life on both sides, for a war that Paul Baumer in "All Quiet on the Western Front" by Remarque, could not see the point of!

See images of the gravesites at PUCHEVILLERS BRITISH CEMETERY here..
www.flickr.com/photos/spelio/6921297040/in/photostream/

www.flickr.com/photos/hwmobs/9757832354/

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/

Award of the Military Cross announced in the London Gazette, 4 June 1917, p. 5477: www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30111/supplements/5477/ DSO citation from the London Gazette, 16 September 1918, p. 10863: Capt. Alfred Raymond Bare, M.C., N. Lan. R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Under cover of a heavy barrage the enemy attacked, very quickly surrounding a strong point, where this officer had his company headquarters and one platoon. In face of superior numbers, he put up a stout resistance until forced to retire on to another strong point, where the position was very critical, the officer in charge having been killed. He took command, and after a stiff fight, drove back the enemy. He was twice wounded during the fight." www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/30901/supplements/10863/

An officer of the same name was earlier commissioned into the 22nd County of London Regiment: London Gazette, 3 November 1914, p. 8894: "22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen's); the undermentioned Second Lieutenants to be Lieutenants. Dated 25th September, 1914 : -- Alfred R. Bare. John D. Tate." www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/28961/pages/8894/ London Gazette, 12 August 1915, p. 8009: "22nd (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (The Queen's); the undermentioned Lieutenants to be temporary Captains: -- Lawrence J. Clarke. Dated 10th July, 1915. Noel C. Boosey (since died of wounds). Dated 10th July, 1915. Alfred R. Bare, Dated 23rd July, 1915." www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/29261/supplements/8009/

A Major A. R. Bare, DSO, MC, ret. appears in the list of retired officers re-employed in the Second World War, 31/7/1943 (Army List, January-March 1944, p 2991): archive.org/details/armylistaprpart221944gre

My Headmistress, Miss Swanton's husband. He made a good Santa every year at the Swan School, Salisbury. (At least, I thought it was him - others say it was Major Higdon - the disguise worked!) I was there September 1964 until July 1968. He was born on the 26th March 1886. (It was both of them! They took it in turns.)

4th Bn. Loyal #.—Lt.-Col. A. R. Bare, D.S.O., M.C. (Maj. ret. pay), resigns his commn. 4th Apr. 1938. www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34509/page/3024/data.pdf THE LONDON GAZETTE, 10 MAY, 1938