BARR James Craig

James Craig BARR was born at Allora in 1898 one of nine children born to parents John Anderson BARR and Margaret Ann nee STEVENSON (nee CUMMINGS-MCLEAN).
John Joseph 1893
Mary 1894
Janet 1896
Alexander McLean 1898
James Craig 1898
Ronald Richardson 1899
Maud Jessie 1901
Flora Bell 1904
Jose Margaret 1906

He was eighteen years and five months old when he enlisted and took his medical at Toowoomba on 27th July 1915. He was a tall young man at 5ft 6 inches who weighed 130 lbs with fair complexion, green eyes and light brown hair. His religion stated as Presbyterian and he worked as a station porter. He was assigned as private and allocated to 15th Battalion and later transferred to 5th Australian Field Ambulance.
He embarked aboard H.M.A.T A48 Seang Bee from Brisbane on 21 October 1915. He stepped off the ship at Alexandria for land training before embarking again in April 1916 for Marseilles. During May and June of that year he seems to have had problems dealing with the rules and regulations of army life as he was admonished on two occasions for language against a Non Commissioned officer and neglect of duty when he failed to complete a task satisfactorily.
He was admitted to hospital on two occasions the first is cause unknown, the second with boils. He served on the Western Front throughout the remainder of 1916 through 17 before being wounded in action on 24th July 1918.
He had suffered the effects of gas shelling and was evacuated from the field and eventually returned to England for treatment and recovery. He spent July and August as a patient and on his return to duty was transferred to the General Clearing Hospital at Fovant where he stayed until the war was over. It was while recovering near Weymouth that he was to meet his future wife. He attended church there where she sang in the choir. He decided that when he returned home and was settled in a job he would ask her to come out to Australia and marry him.
James boarded H.M.A.T 'Ulysses' on 18th January 1918 for the return home and during the journey he was promoted to VO Sergeant and undertook the duties of Masseur for the duration of the trip back to Australia. The ship arrived in Brisbane on 19th March 1919 and James was discharged from the A.I.F on 23rd May 1919.

On his return to civilian life he applied for and was granted Lot 780 Beerburrum Soldier Settlement.

His twin brother Alexander so served with A.I.F # 3241 and returned home to Australia. They both had allotments at Beerburrum, Alexander on Lot 781.

James worked for the railway before he served and later returned as shunter in charge in the Maryborough yards. James sent for his sweetheart and subsequently Edith accompanied by her father arrived in Australia. James married Edith Rose Hannah BARTLETT on 12 October 1921. They had 2 children, Leslie and Freda. He was then transferred to Ayr as a guard. He returned to Maryborough and for the last 6 months of his life he was guard on the Pialba train.
James died on 29 May 1928 from the effects of gassing in WW1 at the age of 30 years.
His wife and 2 children returned to the UK after his death.

Photos and some family information courtesy Kay Cockram
1 - Headshot of James Craig Barr
2 - Group Jack, Alex, Jim Barr
3 - Wedding of James & Edith (couple on left) (far right is brother Alexander McLean Barr and wife Christina seated)
Story and related links added by Admin - RD