John Barley died of wounds on this day in 1915.
John Barley was born in Broughton, 6 April 1876. His parents were Thomas, an agricultural labourer and his mother was Sarah Ann (née Sharp). He was one of seven children.
He worked as a farmer labourer by the age of 14, living at 57 Farm Houses, Welbourn, Lincolnshire.
John enlisted, age 17, on 24 November 1893 in the Lincolnshire Regiment. He served nine years in the Regulars and three years in the Reserve. He saw service in Khartoum and Atbara, South Africa and Soudan.
He married Elizabeth Ann (née Hyke), in Leeds on 21 April 1905 and had one son, Thomas (Oct: 05) and five daughters: Gladys (Dec ‘06), Evylyn (Oct ‘08), Nancy (July ‘10), Amy (Aug ‘12) and Joyce (July ‘14). All six children were under the age of ten at the time of their father’s death.
On mobilisation he was called up, serving in France and Flanders, and was wounded in November 1914. Afterwards he went back to the front but died of wounds received in action at Ypres 27 April 1915. He is buried in Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, near Ypres.
Birr Cross Roads Cemetery. Photo - CWGC
Pte John Barley 8147 1st Bn Lincolnshire Regt. 1st Bn Lincolnshire Regt.
27 February 1915
Sources: De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, WFA Pension Records, 1881 & 1891 Census Returns.