Name
William George Barber
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/06/1918
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
M2/149592
Army Service Corps
Mechanical Transport
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIGNACOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
IV. A. 17.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin
Pre War
He had been born in Westhampnett in Sussex, around 1888. His parents were William J and Mary Barber.
In 1891 the family were living at 29 Chichester Road, Boxgrove, Sussex. His father was working as carpenter. William and Mary’s children were William G (3) and Margaret (1). In 1901, they were still in Broxgrove , his father was now an estate carpenter. The children listed were as above. By 1911 William’s parents were recorded as having been married for 24 years and had 3 children of whom one had died. Now they were living in Halnaker Road Boxgrove, Near Chichester. William Junior was now 23 and both he and his father were working as carpenters.
William married Mary Ann Jacks on 29 April 1915 at Boxgrove Church, Sussex
Wartime Service
.He was attached to the Royal Garrison Artillery 137th Howitzer Battery in the Motor Transport Section with the Corps Number 172/149592.
He is buried in Plot 4, Row A, Grave 17 at Vignacourt British Cemetery, north west of Amiens in France.
He was recorded as dying of wounds, so he was probably taken to No. 61 Casualty Clearing Station (known as the South Midland C.C.S., which was at Vignacourt at the time.
Additional Information
After his death, and charges to the amount owing calculated, £12 was authorised to go to his widow on 6 January 1920. She also received a pension while living at 2 Riddy View. It was initially calculated on 21 December 1918, as 13s 5d, but amended to 38s 5d. Oddly she was recorded as Mary G Singleton,
His widow ordered his personal inscription, which reads: “ UNTIL THE DAY BREAK AND THE SHADOWS FLEE AWAY”
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
