BARR Roy

Roy Barr was the fourth of seven children born to James Kew Barr and Mary Ann Poulson. He was a man of 26 years and 7 months when he enlisted for the Great War on 15 November 1915 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. His occupation was a labourer at the time. Roy was described as 5 feet 7 ¾ inches (172.1cm) tall. He weighed 156 pounds (70.8kg) and had a dark complexion with blue eyes and fair hair. He also had a distinctive scar across his nose and a scar on both his feet. Roy noted his religion as Methodist. He was a single man and listed his mother who was living at Croydon Avenue, Croydon, New South Wales at the time, as his next of kin. Later, Mary moved to “Glen Ayr” Arthur Street, Croydon, NSW.

On 31 January 1916, Private Roy Barr of 25 Battalion boarded the HMAT “Wandilla” at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to serve his King and country. Roy was at Tel-el-Kebir with 7 Tng. Bn. (Training Battalion) on 17 Arpil 1916. By June, he was in England with 7 Tng. Bn. when he was admitted to hospital. In mid-October Roy was still with 7 Tng. Bn. when he had a problem with his eyes. He remained in hospital until the new year. On 04 February 1917, Roy boarded the “Arundel” for France. He took on strength of his unit on 09 February 1917. Roy was wounded in action on 20 March 1917, when he suffered a gunshot wound to his arm and leg. Roy was admitted to 5 A.F.A. (Aust. Field Ambulance) and transferred to 1 C.C.S. (Casualty Clearing Station) the following day. Roy was transferred by the A.T. (Ambulance Train) to 6 Gen. Hosp. (General Hospital) in France. The decision was made that Roy was to be evacuated to England on 29 March and he boarded the “Western Australia” that day. Admitted to 1 Lond. Gen. Hosp. (London General Hospital) on 30 March, Roy remained there until he was discharged to duty and marched in to 2 Com. Dep. (Command Depot) on 09 August 1917.

In early September, Roy marched in to 4 Com. Dep. before being admitted to Camp Isolation Hospital with urethritis on 10 September. After his discharge from hospital, it wasn’t long before Roy was admitted to Camp Isolation Hospital with scabies. He marched in to 4 Com. Dep. on 04 October 1917 and a little over a week later, Roy was at the O/Seas Tng. Bde. (Overseas Training Brigade) for a while before proceeding to France on 02 November 1917. Once in France, Roy marched in to 2 A.D.B.D. (Aust. Divisional Base Depot) where he remained a few days. He proceeded out and rejoined his battalion on 09 November 1917. In mid-January 1918, Roy was admitted to 7 A.F.A. with scabies. He was transferred to D.R.S. (Divisional Rest Station) for a week before being discharged to duty.

Roy rejoined his battalion on 22 January 1918. He was wounded in action, 2nd occasion, when he suffered gunshot wounded to his chest and back on 13 June 1918. He was taken to 5 A.F.A. where he died of his wounds the same day.

Tewantin District Cenotaph, Poinciana Avenue, Tewantin;

Panel 103 Commemorative Area Australian War Memorial Canberra