Private William Edward Barry
7255 1st East Lancashire Regiment.
Killed in Action, 25th February 1915. Aged 40.
Edward was born in Chatham, Kent. At the age of 24 we find him boarding at 10 Duerden St., Burnley and he worked as a Coal Drawer (underground). He married Bridget Murray in the Sept. quarter 1901 in Burnley.
In the 1911 census he was living with his father in Law at 42 Leyland Rd., Burnley. The census states that he and Bridget had had 7 children and three of them had died. The four surviving children were Catherine 8, John 5, Thomas 2 and James 8 Months. He had changed his occupation to that of a Stone Mason’s labourer.
From the Battalion’s war diary we discover that the Regiment was at Ploegsteert in Belgium and the town and convent were being constantly shelled from the 20th Feb to 28th Feb, presumably William was killed by this shelling.
From the Burnley Express dated 6 Mar 1915: KILLED - CANADIAN SOLDIERS SYMPATHY WITH BURNLEY WIDOW.
When the war broke out large numbers of time expired soldiers who had become members of the National Reserve rejoined the colours. The Burnley National Reservists in this respect did their duty loyally, and the first of those who rallied to the colours to fall a victim is private (7255) William Edward Barry, whose home was at 42 Leyland Road.
Private Barry was about 40 years of age and has a long connection with the army. When 8 years of age he went to a cadet school in Ireland. And at the age of 14 became a drummer boy in the second East Lancashire Regiment, with which he subsequently went through the Chitral campaign and received two medals. During the Boer War his regiment remained in India and sometime after he was invalid home.
From the Burnley Express dated 21 March 1915: SOLDIERS DEATH CONFIRMED
Official intelligence was received on Wednesday of the death of Private William Edward Barry 7255, a Burnley National Reservist, whose home was at 42 Leyland Road. The news of his death, together with a photograph, was published in the Express of February 6th. Private Barry was about 40 years of age, and had a long connection with the army. When 8 years of age he went to a cadet school in Ireland, and at the age of 14 became a drummer boy in the second East Lancashire Regiment, with which he subsequently went through the Chitral campaign, and received two medals. During the Boer War his regiment remained in India and sometime after he was invalided home.
Lived at 32 Peter Street.
William left his widow Bridget his effects.
William was buried in Lancashire Cottage Cemetery, Belgium. Grave Ref. I.E.18.
