RFA: Ernest M BARR

[Jean M]

Hello searchers,

I have the medal index  card for Ernest M (Marshall) BARR 
Royal Field Artillery, Gunner, Regiment No 77797.

The card has RFA 212B and  I would appreciate any
clues on what Ernest BARR and his unit "did in The Great War".

His descendants thought he had died while serving
but this does not show up on the card.

many thanks for your interest
Jean M

[mmm45]

Hi
Ive checked soldiers died database and Commonwealth War Graves and can find no entries of him being killed...This is by no means always correct he may have died after service or been discharged and died of non war related illness or injury thus not entitled to CWGC status.

The Medal Index Card is sometimes annotated "Killed" or Died but not always.

If you could scan the card onto the forum it would help however i suspect he was with 212 Brigade RFA

Did he have any Bolton Connections?

Ady

[Jean M]

Hi Ady,

much appreciate your help.  No Lancashire connections as far
as I know.  Greenwich is thought to be his place of birth and close
enough to Woolwich for a volunteer!!

The medal card has Victory and British medals shown
- would that mean he had survived service into 1918/19??

attached view in jpeg has failed, I will  try to forward in next
regards
Jean M

[Jean M]

Hi Ady.

Pleased to forward the scanned card
for Ernest M BARR - small clues

RFA212B - could that be the same
as CCX11 Territorial Force perhaps???
regards
Jean M

[mmm45]

Hi
Thats what i originally thought 212 RFA  Bde Arty ill post a link later which gives its make up thats why i asked if he had Bolton connections as it was a Territorial Battery.
Looking at the card he did not serve overseas until at least 1916 as there is no 15 Star award unless he has another MIC which is not unheard of.

The annotation next to his medals is the actual Roll book at kew which should give his battery and service dates(overseas) and page number.

Ady

[Jean M]

Hi again,

very grateful for the explanation.  I suppose fresh recruits could have been
sent all over the country for basic training. 
Wondered if he had served earlier and how long it would take to train a field gunner.
questions, always more questions!

A visit to Kew as soon as convenient would be worthwhile.  With luck The Roll Book
may prove a date of birth as well as his service details if the record has survived at all.

regards and many thanks
Jean M

   

[mmm45]

Hi Jean
The Medal Roll i doubt will give date of birth 

it will give date he went overseas from and to plus his unit and service number

No records online at ancestry at moment.

http://www.1914-1918.net/rfa_units.htm#200-300

Heres the RFA link.

Even if he was a casualty he would be awarded Campaign Medals

A trip to Kew would hopefully tie up his unit then you have a starting point

[Jean M]

thank you for the link. I shall let you know what I find.

Jean M

 

[ev]

hi all

don't know if this is known already but on the 1891 census there's
an ernest m barr(age 9) adopted son of george and emma barr
living greenwich. he was born sidcup kent

ev