Thiepval Memorial
Stillington Churchyard
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
John Robert Barr was born during the 2nd quarter Apr/May/June 1897 at Broughton, Yorkshire, one of 9 children he was the youngest of 3 sons and had 2 elder and 4 younger sisters. His father Francis Barr, known as Frank, native of Kirkby in Cleveland born 1866 married in 1891 at Stockton to Harriet Ainsworth born 1871 at Barrick, both in Yorkshire. They initially went to live with her parents William and Mary at Redmarshall village near Stockton, County Durham, both Frank and his father in law were farm workers. Ten years later in 1901 William, now widowed, was still working at the age of 72 as a farm labourer however he now lodged with Frank, Harriet and their children. He and his son were employed by Carlton Iron Works, Frank as a coke oven labourer, Joseph (18) a blast furnace helper, Mary (16), John Robert (14), Lavinia 11), Hilda (8), Lydia (7) were scholars and Ann (4) at home with her mother, William Ainsworth now 81 years old was retired, they all lived in 5 rooms at 35, Lowson Street, Stillington, near Stockton, County Durham.
On the outbreak of war John Robert was 17 years old, too young to enlist, however he did take the oath at Stockton November 20th 1915 finally leaving his employment as a locomotive fireman for the Carlton Iron Company and was attested January 27th 1916, assigned as Private 30224 Durham Light Infantry for the duration of the war. He transferred to the 20th (Service) Battalion Durham Light Infantry joining them at Barnard Castle before being moved to Aldershot to join the newly-formed 41st Division.
After the issue of uniforms and rifles several months of intensive training began until Private Barr departed with the Division from Southampton May 4th 1916 arriving at Le Havre in France the following day.
May 29th 1916 the Battalion entered the front line trenches, for the first time north of Armentieres where they remained for the next 3 months involved in day to day trench warfare suffering many casualties every day. Early September 1916 the Division was sent south from Flanders to the Somme where the 20th Battalion attacked at Flers, September 14th. Over the next few days they lost over 100 men mostly to shell fire.
Private Barr was officially reported as missing September 29th 1916 not having been seen since September 17th. His next of kin were informed and an investigation began as to his whereabouts. By March 23rd 1917 several members of his 20th Battalion had been asked to give evidence, Lance Corporal Greenwood and Private 1480 W. Park had no news, Private 45770 N. E. Carter stated that Private Barr, “was seen going towards the front line and did not return”.
Private 30224 John Robert Barr Durham Light Infantry was officially struck off November 22nd 1917, his next of kin informed that he was now considered to be dead and that his demise occurred on or since September 17th 1916. His sacrifice is recorded as one of the 72,296 names inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, France commemorating servicemen from Britain and South Africa who died on the Somme 1915-1918 and who have no known grave. He was 19 years old and single.
His father Francis Barr received all monies due to him, a pension, his awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and his identity disc, sent to him at his home address.
Francis Barr died at Stockton on Tees in 1925 aged 59 years, Harriet Barr nee Ainsworth died aged 79 years in 1950 registered at Durham South Western.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
In Stillington Churchyard is a headstone which reads:-
In loving memory
of
Francis Barr
who died 4th September 1925
aged 60 years
also
J.R. Barr
son of the above
Killed in France 17 September 1916
aged 19 years
Acknowledgements: Judith Turner
John Robert Barr is remembered at Stillington on S137.01 and S137.02 and at Carlton on C110.02
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 250
