No.122331, Gunner, David John BARRETT
Aged 28
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David John Barrett was born in Dullingham (Newmarket Q1-1889 3B:511, baptised in Dullingham on 3rd February 1889, the son of Henry and Emma BARRETT (née TOWLER). 1891 census...Aged 2 he was at Cross Green, Dullingham, with his father Henry BARRETT [36] a bricklayer, born in Dullingham; his mother Emma [37] born in Worlington; sisters Ada [15] and Elizabeth [13], brother Joseph [11], sister Emma [9] and brother Henry [6]. All the children were born in Dullingham. 1901 census... Aged 12 he was in Little Ditton with his parents, ( father now a brick layer and publican), sister Elizabeth, brother Henry (now a brick layer) and a new sister, Florrie [6], born Dullingham 1911 census... Aged 22 he was a horse keeper, lodging at Turnip Hall Farm, Radwinter Road, Saffron Walden, with the Flack family. His parents were living in Worlington at The Green. None of their children were there. It is recorded that one of their seven children had died. In 1915 in Saffron Walden he married Fanny Ann KIDD (b.21-4-1889), aged 25. The pension card has his widow at Sewards End, Saffron Walden with their daughter Eilleen Rosetta (b. 12-11-1915). |
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He enlisted in Cambridge, and according to "Soldiers Died" he was born in Cambridge. His Army records have not survived, lessening the chance of positively identifying him. His "Soldier's Personal Effects record does give his widow as Fanny. On the 22nd January 1917 one ? other man in "B" Battery, 78th Brigade, R.F.A. was killed. There seems no way of knowing where they were at the time. The clue to that seems to be that in late 1920 a small battlefield cemetery was emptied and the men re-interred in Guards Cemetery at LesBoeufs, amongst them was David Barrett. The Bury Free Press of 8th September 1917 reported:- WORLINGTON GUNNER KILLED IN ACTION News has been received that Gunner D.J.Barrett, of the 78th Battery, R.F.A., son of Mr.and Mrs. Barrett of Worlington,was killed in France some time ago after being there about eight months. Prior to joining the Army, Gunner Barrett was in the Police Force in Cambridge. It appears that he, with his Sergeant and two other men were in a gun pit when and enemy shell exploded in the pit and killed all four men instantly. |
photo: Rodney Gibson
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