Notes for John Baillie Barstow: Debt of Honour Register In Memory of
JOHN BAILLIE BARSTOW
Major Royal Engineers
who died on Monday 31 August 1914 . Age 41 .
Additional Information: Son of Henry Clements Barstow and Cecilia Clementina Barstow; husband of Ethel Constance Barstow, of Garrow Hill, York. At the outbreak of war was O.C. 9th Field Coy. at Woolwich, formerly having served 20 years with the 2nd Queen's Own Sappers and Miners, Bangalore, India. Cemetery: NOYON NEW BRITISH CEMETERYOise, France Grave or Reference Panel Number: IV. B. 5.
Description of the circumstances of John Barstow's death written down by his brother, George.
Yesterday I saw Corporal Sullivan of the 9th Company, Royal Engineers, at the Herbert Hospital, Woolwich He was with John in the action in which he fell. His story is as follows:
On the 30th August in the evening the Sappers were ordered, to blow up four bridges over a river which he believes is the Oise. The place of the British campwas called, he thinks, Choisy. The British force had. retreated over the bridges in the course of that day and. they were to be blown up to prevent the Germans’ further advance. Cavalry and infantry were detailed for the support of the Sappers. A volunteer party of Sappers was got together including John, a Lieutenant of Sappers, a Sergeant, two Corporals, and, two others, besides two members of the ArmyService Corps, one a Lieutenant in charge of a motor lorry.
They loaded up with explosives but when they proceeded to try to find the infantry and cavalry detailed to act with them they were nowhere to be found. Finally the Major said that they must go on and try to blow up the bridges without support. They accordingly motored down the road. The distance was apparently fifteen miles from Choisy and seven from the British outposts. On their way they had a narrow escape, stampeding a party of Uhlans. When they reached the village which he thinks is called Bayette, they left the motor lorry and proceeded two miles in single file down thc road. carrying the explosives. This was about 2.30 in the morning. He thinks that the German sentry must have let them pass by, for presently they found the Germans in force.
He saw the Major in front struggling with one. Presently he ran back shouting to them to take cover and they lay down by the side of the road, and the Major opened fire upon the enemy. He has no idea how long this went on, but he was hit by a ricochet in the eye, and. crossed over the road and found himself lying next to the Major. The enemy fired a volley and, he heard the Major give a groan and he was hit. He never stirred afterwards and. the Corporal undoubtedly thinks he was shot dead.
Presently the Lieutenant called out they must re tire so as to get away with the explosives. They called again and again to the Major and. to Corporal Stone but neither answered. Of the five that got away three were wounded, one in the leg, one through both hands and himself in the eye. He had lost the sight of one eye. They got safely back to camp and. John was reported, wounded and missing.
The enemy advanced over the bridges on the following day and a battle was fought. Undoubtedly John would have been picked up if alive and I hope he has been taken care of. He may of course only have been rendered unconscious, so there is still a glimmer of hope.
G. L. B.
Couden 18th September, 1914.
NOTE.
Cette plaque d’indentite a laquelle on a joint une insigne provenante vraisembla-blement de la coiffure, ont etc remises a la. S.C. 13me C.A. par Th 25me Div. Ces objects ont éte trouve's a Bailly sur la personne d’un Major Anglais qui a ete tue (il y a environ 10 jours).
A remettre, a l’officier de liason du Corps Britann- ique.
Couden le 18 Sept. 1914
L’Officier de service
Leriguin
Telegram from Buckingham Palace dated 23rd September 1914 "The King and Queen deeply regret the loss you and the army have sustained by the death of your husband in the service of his country. Their Majesties truly sympathise with you in your sorrow" Private Secretary Extract from letter received by the War Office from Philip Hazelton dated Bridgwater 14th October 1914
Dear Sir, I enclose an extract from a letter I have today received from a cousin of mine, an elderly lady who has resided for many years with her sister at Tracy-le-mont, Nr. Compiegne
Extract from letter dated 19th October 1914 "I have only this to add if you would send it to the War Office. Major Barstow X.31 shot by the Germans on Aug. 31st at the outskirts of the village of Bailly, Oise and was buried by the roadside. This may be absolutely depended upon, because hearing that an English soldier had been shot I myself walked for 3 miles to Bailly. At the first house I made enquiries and the woman told me "the Germans were here in my front garden and they shot him at that post there over the way. Then they borrowed my spade, made a shallow grave and laid him in. They took my washing plank, broke it in two, nailed it in the form of a cross and with a knife engraved on the cross, Major Barstow x31. They wound his silk neckerchief about the cross and said "Vous mettrez des fleurs" I asked to be taken to the grave which was in the middle of a field adjoining the house about 10 yards from the roadside. The village having been taken and re-taken no trace may be left but the friends and relations of Major Barstow might feel relieved to know his fate. Signed Marie Raban JBB is commemorated in a memorial at St Andrews where he he was a Member. Location ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB
ST ANDREWS FIFE SCOTLAND
Inscription TO THE MEMORY OF THE MEMBERS & STAFF OF THIS CLUB/ WHO FELL IN THE GREAT WAR 1914-1918/ MEMBERS/ (NAMES AND REGIMENTS) / STAFF/ (NAMES) AND REGIMENTS) Type of memorial Addition to gravestone Description POLISHED WOODEN FIREPLACE WITH INSET METAL PLAQUE ABOVE. INSCRIPTION CARVED INTO WOOD ABOVE PLAQUE. NAMES IN THREE COLUMNS OF EMBOSSED LETTERING ON PLAQUE. ST ANDREWS COAT OF ARMS CARVED IN WOOD ABOVE PLAQUE.
Children of John Baillie Barstow and Ethel Constance Orpen are:
Major, Royal Engineers John Baillie Barstow (b. October 31, 1872, d. August 31, 1914)
Notes for John Baillie Barstow: