John Barley died of wounds on this day in 1915
John Barley was born on 6 April 1876 in Broughton, Lincoldnshire. His parents were Thomas, an agricultural labourer and his mother was Sarah Ann (née Sharp). He had an older sister, Harriet, and younger siblings Martha, George, Anthony, Thomas and Frederic.
In 1891, the family lived in Back Street in Appleby. John, aged 16 was working as a farm labourer.
On 24 November 1893, aged 17, he enlisted 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 Sudan, receiving medals with two clasps.
On 21 April 1905, he married Elizabeth Ann (née Hyke) in Leeds. They had one son, Thomas (1905) and five daughters: Gladys (1906), Evylyn (1908), Nancy (1910), Amy (1912) and Joyce (1914). 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 at the battle of First Ypres. Afterwards, he went back to the front but died of wounds received in action on 27 April 1915 at Dickebusch in the Ypres Salient. The Battalion War Diary for the 27th reports it as a "quiet on our front all day" with just occasional shelling from both sides. "2 officers wounded, 1 OR killed"
John is buried in Birr Cross Roads Cemetery, near Ypres.
8147 Pte John Barley, 1st Bn Lincolnshire Regt.