Name
Edward Barber (VC)
10 Jun 1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/03/1915
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
15518
Grenadier Guards
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star (with Clasp & Roses), British War and Victory medals
Victory Cross
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LE TOURET MEMORIAL
Panel 2.
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
Edward Barber was born on 10 Jun 1893 in Tring (baptised 5 May 1894) to William Barber, a blacksmith, and Sarah Ann (nee Davis). A son, Edward had been born 3 Jul 1890, baptised at Tring on 30 Aug 1890 but had died in 1891).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Alfred (born 1884),William C (born 1886), George (born 1888) and Edward were living at 44, King Street, Berkhamsted. Tring.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Alfred (ironmonger’s mechanic , William Charles (gardener), George (houseboy) , Edward and Ernest (born1897) were living at Miswell Lane, Berkhamsted, Tring.
On the 1911 Census the family of parents, Alfred (general labourer), William Charles (foreman nurseryman), George (bricklayer), Edward (general labourer) and Ernest were still living at Miswell Lane.
Wartime Service
No service record was easily available for Edward (Service records Guards personnel are kept by the Regiments). He probably enlisted at London soon after the Great War began in Aug 1914t. and served with 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.as Private 15518. 1st Battalion Edward went with them as part of 20 Brigade 7 Division and had landed at Zeebrugge on 7 Oct 1014 to assist the Belgian Army defend Antwerp, the Division went on to join the B E F at 1st Battle of Ypres (19 Oct-22 Nov 1914).
In 1915 the 7th Division were present at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle (10 – 13 Mar 1915) intended to remove a salient containing the Village of Neuve Chapelle. Following a bombardment of the German front line the Guards attacked and Edward who was member of the Bombing squad managed to get into the German front line and threw Bombs( grenades) with such effect that many Germans surrendered to follow up troops , however Edward continued along the Trench. and was later reported Missing and he was presumed to have been killed in action on 10 Mar 1915 His remains were not recovered and he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.
V C Citation} extract from "The London Gazette," dated 19th April, 1915, records the following:- "For most conspicuous bravery on 12th March, 1915, at Neuve Chapelle. He ran speedily in front of the grenade company to which he belonged, and threw bombs on the enemy with such effect that a very great number of them at once surrendered. When the grenade party reached Pte. Barber they found him quite alone and unsupported, with the enemy surrendering all about him."
Additional Information
Wwar Gratuity of £5 and arrears of £20 19s 5d was paid to his mother Sarah, she also received a pension of 10 shillings per week.
Brother Ernest enlisted with the 2/1st Herts (as Private 4480 later 266355), transferred to the 1/1st Bn. and was posted missing in September 1917. He had been taken prisoner and was repatriated in 1918 from Gustrow POW Camp with arm injuries and partial paralysis. He died on the 18 Sep 1920 − due to his wounds and the effect of mustard gas − and is buried in Tring Cemetery, but his name does not appear on the War Memorial. Brother Alfred served in the R.A.M.C., and Brother William also served in in the 1/1st Herts .
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
