Bond of Sacrifice
De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour Vol. 3 page 16
Great War Forum with Thanks
Newcastle Journal Thursday 23/03/1916
Newcastle Journal Saturday 25/03/1916
Lindsay was born 8th July 1891 in Seaham. His father was Charles Rollo Barrett, J.P. and chairman of the Durham County Recruiting Committee, and of the Chester-le-Street Division Conservative Association, and his wife Mary Delmar, daughter of Alfred Barry. He was the youngest son.
Lindsay Alfred Barrett was educated at Alnmouth Preparatory School, where he obtained both his cricket and football colours, he was also captain of the school before leaving for Wellington College. Here he played in the Rugby XV, and was head of his dormitory. From Wellington he passed into the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, where he was colour-sergeant of his company, played for the Rugby XV and obtained the Sword of Honour.
Lindsay was gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers on the 15th March 1911 from Sandhurst. He then served in India in the 1st Brigade returning home in November 1913.
Went to France 13th August 1914, as a 2nd Lieutenant. During the retreat from Mons, he was appointed "Galloper" to his Brigadier, returning to the 1st Battalion as Adjutant in November 1914.
Then in May 1915, he was appointed Adjutant of the 1/6th Northumberland Fusiliers. December 1915, returned back to the 1st Battalion on promotion to Captain, and was immediately attached to the Divisional Staff.
He was also promoted to Lieutenant, then Captain on the 20th August 1915. Eventually reaching the rank of Major in January 1916., Lindsay was promoted temporary Major, and was given command of the 4th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment. Mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette 17th February 1915] and awarded the Military Cross 1st January 1916.
Lindsay was killed shot through the head by a sniper and killed instantaneously, whilst going on his rounds of the first-line trenches on the 17th March 1916 at Hill 60 Ypres.
He was buried the next day at Poperinghe, and the Adjutant of the 1/4th Yorkshire Regiment had written:- The way he put his heart into the battalion, after it had been badly knocked about, was extraordinary, and we all think it was a very great honour to have been commanded by him.
He was unmarried.
Source: De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 3/1/1916 carries a photograph and says that he had been mentioned in despatches twice. The same newspaper 22/3/1916 also carries a photo and announces his death.
Source: Chester-le-Street Chronicle 24/03/1916.
Lindsay Alfred Barrett is remembered at Alnwick in A11.43 page 4, at Chester-le-Street on C105.01, C105.02, C105.12, C105.15 and C105.40
Mentioned in Despatches award
Citation for the Military Cross
Wellington College re-enact their fallen pupils
The CWGC entry for Major Barrett