Current Information:

Age-21

Enlisted-London

Merville Communal Cemetery, France

In October, 1916, 56th Division left the Somme and moved north to the front line around Neuve-Chapelle where they were to spend the cold winter of 1916-1917. In January, 1917, 169 Brigade took over the Laventie sector here and on 20th January, 9th London moved into the front line. The battalion held three posts here, Irma, Bertha and Flame. Situated in the old German front line they were continually raided by the enemy and 9th London suffered badly, sustaining 130 casualties during the five days they spent here. Bertha was a particular target and on both the nights of 21st-22nd January and 22nd-23rd January the Germans captured and held this post for a while before it was wrested back from their control.  Harry Barr died of wounds on 22nd January and it is likely he was wounded during this period in the line.