Barry, William

3851 Private William Barry - 16th Battalion AIF

William Francis Barry was born in Northam Western Australia to William & Margaret Barry in 1893. The family soon moved to Fremantle where they took up residence in 68 Marmion Street East Fremantle. William attended Christian Brothers College Fremantle in Ellen Street though when he left school he took up work as a Labourer.

In September 1915 William enlisted into the AIF. He was given a medical examination at Blackboy Hill Camp where he was found to be 5 feet 7 & ½ inches in height; weight of 138 lbs; chest measurement of 34-37 inches; fresh complexion; grey eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. After being passed as fit for service overseas, William was assigned to the 12^th Reinforcements to the 16^th Battalion AIF.

This group trained at Blackboy Hill Camp through October, November and into December. On the 17^th December 1915 this group left Fremantle on the H.M.A.T. Ajana with many relatives and friends on the wharf to see them off; William’s mother among them. They arrived in Egypt in January 1916 and William was soon admitted to hospital with venereal disease. This kept him out of action for sixty two days and when given the okay he rejoined the Base Depot. On the 2^nd April 1916 he joined up with the 16^th Battalion at Serapeum. For the next two months, the battalion spent many hard days training in the Egyptian Desert and it was a relief for the men when they embarked for France. The 16^th Battalion boarded the H.M.T. “Canada” at Alexandria on the 1^st June 1916 and arrived at Marseilles France on the 9^th June.

The 16^th Battalion travelled north up to the region around Armentieres. They spent the rest of June and the early part of July in this area until they were relieved by the 5^th Division AIF. In mid July they were sent down to the Somme battlefield and would continue the advance at Pozieres over ground won at a great cost to the 1^st & 2^nd Divisions. The 16^th Battalion went into the line in early August and launches assaults towards the position at Mouquet Farm. Their early attacks gained some more ground, but they were soon relieved by the 1^st Division. In late August the 16^th again went into the line and made another assault against the German positions at Mouquet Farm. On the 31^st August 1916 during one such assault, William Barry was killed.

He was buried and after the war his grave was found, and he was exhumed to Regina Trench Cemetery Plot IX.N.25.

His mother and eldest sister (Mrs. M Bradford of 52 King Street East Fremantle) received his personal effects and medals. She penned an epitaph for his grave;

‘In Memory of The dear loved only son of Mrs. Barry Fremantle’.