Name
Cecil Harry John Barsley
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/05/1917
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/15547
The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)
A Coy. 7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 2.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Wheathampstead memorials, Buffs (East Kent Regt) WW1 Book of Rememberance, Canterbury, Kent, Tunbridge Wells, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Pre War
Cecil Henry (Harry) John was born in Wheathampstead in 1896 to Harry Wilcox Barsley, a tailor, and Elizabeth Florence (nee Clarke).
On the1901 Census Harry was living with his parents and younger brother Stanley (born 1900) at The Mill, Wheathampstead. There was also a tailor apprentice, Eustace Goldawn. On the 1911 Census Harry was living at 11 George Steet, Staines, Middlesex with his parents, Stanley, and younger brothers Harold (born 1905) and Wilfred (born 1908).
Wartime Service
Harry enlisted as a Territorial Soldier as Private 969 with 2/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion. This Unit was formed in late 1914 as a second line unit and did not serve abroad. No Service Record was found for Harry so no details can be confirmed.
At some Harry was transferred to the Buffs (East Kent Regiment) as Private G/15547 in 7th (Service) Battalion and ‘A’ Company. This Unit as part of 24 Division had gone to France in 1915 to take part in the Battle of Loos, The Somme Battles in 1916 and in 1917 the Battle of Vimy Ridge, part of the Arras Offensive. Harry was killed in action on 3 May 1917.
His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
