Name
Ernest Barber
13 Sep 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
18/09/1920
24
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
266355
Hertfordshire Regiment
1st/1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TRING CEMETERY
F. 90.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
NTHE LORD SAID UNTO HIM SURELY I WILL BE WITH THEE HE IS AT RESTot Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford, Not on the Tring memorials
Pre War
Ernest Barber was born on 13 Sep 1896 in Berkhamsted to William Barber, a blacksmith, and Sarah Ann (nee Davis).
On the 1901 census the family of parents, Alfred (born 1884, ironmonger’s mechanic , William Charles (born 1886, gardener), George (born 1888, houseboy) , Edward (born 1894) and Ernest (born 1897) 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 as Miswell Lane.
Wartime Service
Ernest enlisted with the 2/1st Herts (as Private 4480 around 11th Jan 1915 (later 266355 when all territorial soldiers were renumbered in 1917), transferred to the 1/1st Battalion at some time for service overseas.
No Service Record was found for Ernest. He took part in the Battle of Pilkem (31 Jul 1917 when the Herts Regiment suffered very heavy casualties and was posted missing in September 1917. He had been taken prisoner by the Germans on 31 Jul with arm and shoulder wounds together with partial paralysis and was repatriated in 1918 from Gustrow POW Camp . Ernest was discharged and received his Silver War Badge number 399702 on 14 Jun 1918 . He died on 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 Tring War Memorial.
Additional Information
Ernest headstone records a commemoration for his father, which seems to indicate that he shares the grave. This would be unusual as would presumably have required the CWGC's permission. Brother Alfred served in the R.A.M.C., and Brother William also served in in the 1/1st Herts Brothe Edward served with 1st Grenadier Guards,killed in action on 10 Mar 1915 and awarded V C for his actions.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
