No.G/7579, Private, Walter BARRETT
Aged 21
|
Walter Barrett was born in Castle Camps on 2nd March 1896 (Linton Q2-1896 3B:501), baptised in Castle Camps on 31st May 1896, son of William James and Harriet BARRETT
(née OSBORNE).
1901 census...Aged 5, he was in Castle Camps with his father William BARRETT [36] farm labourer; his mother Harriet [34] born Shudy Camps; brothers Thomas [12], Arthur [10] and Ernest [3 months]; sisters Alice[9], Martha [6] and Eva [3]. All except his mother were born in Castle Camps. 1911 census...Aged 15, a farm labourer, he was at Church Lane, Castle Camps with his parents; sister Eva; brothers Ernest, Albert [7], Willie [4] and Eli [1]. The new siblings all born in Castle Camps.His mother had borne 12 children but 2 died already died. When his mother completed the "Living Relatives" form for the Army on 9th August 1919 she entered herself and his father at Church lane, Castle Camps together with his brothers Ernest [18], Albert [15], Willie [9] and Eli [9]. Brother Thomas [31] was at 142 Stanhope St, Euston Rd, London, Arthur [29] at Euston St, Euston Rd, London; sister Alice [28] at 29 The Hillock, Park Hill, Ealing and Martha [25] and Eva [22] both at Ely House, Mount Ararat Road, Richmond. |
|
He attested in Shoreham, Kent on 31st May 1915 when resident in Castle Camps. He gave his age as 19 years 2 months, a farm hand from Church Lane, Castle Camps.
He was 5 feet 1 inch (154.9 cm) tall, with a chest 33.5" to 35" (85.1 to 88.9 cm). Next of kin, his father William of the same address. He joined the Buffs Depot in Canterbury and was posted on 23rd June to the 3rd Battalion at Dover and on 9th March 1916 to the 6th Battalion on embarkation to the British Expeditionary Force in France/Flanders. Reported missing on 9th April 1917, he was presumed to have died on that day. His personal belongings returned to his father were some letters and photos and a pocket case,GW (gold watch ?). |
|
His entry in Du Ruvigny's Roll of Honour reads :- BARRETT, WALTER, Private, No.7579, 6th (Serivce) Battn. The Buffs (East Kent Regt.) s. of William Barrett, of Church Road, Castle Camps,by his wife, Harriet, dau. of William Osborne; b.Castle Camps aforesaid 2 March 1896; educ.Castle Camps School; was a farm labourer; enlisted in the Buffs in June 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 6 March 1916, and was killed in action at the Battle of Arras 9 April 1917. Buried to the west of Arras:unm. The war diary:- Arras- 9-4-17 - Zero day. The Bn was all formed up in Reserve trench, duplicate reserve and BROAD WALK by 3:30 am. At zero hour, 5:30am our artillery and machine guns opened an intense fire on the German lines and at the same time the Bn left the trenches,moving to the attack in artillery formation in support of the 6th Bn, The Queens. The 6th R W Kent Regt was in support on the left top the 7th R East Surrey Regt.On the right was the 13th Bn KINGS (Liverpool) Regt. 3rd Div Bn boundaries on crossing our front line were (ARRAS map) south G.30.c.8.1 - north G.30.c.9.6. The Bn moved forward as under C Coy on the right, D Coy on the left, A Coy plus 1.5 pt B Coy right support, B Coy less 1.5 pt left support and Bn HQ After passing through 6th Queens, the 1st objective - the BLACKLINE (HAVANT LANE-HORNSEA TR Road at H.31.a.6.7. was quickly captured by the Bn without much loss. A two hour bombardment of the enemy's second system- the BLUE LINE- followed and the advance was resumed as the barrage lifted forward. More opposition was encountered than before, snipers and machine guns being active on both flanks. After some stiff hand to hand fighting D Coy were able to get round to the flank and by rifle grenading concealed machine guns, pushed forward in shell holes, captured HOULETTE WORK, their objective on the BLUE LINE. C Coy on the right were troubled by enfilade MG fire operating from the right flank from the ruins near ESTAMINET CORNER. By means of Lewis gun fire and rifle grenading these were however eventually silenced and this company was able to proceed. The Blue Line was then consolidated and Lewis guns pushed forward and strong points dug. At 2:18 pm the 35th Inf Bde passed through this Bn final objective. CWGC records the battalion had 42 killed, 22 with no known grave
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission re-interred in 1919 click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
