Percy George Archibald Barr was born in Oxford, England in 1896 to parents Thomas and Beatrice Maud Barr and migrated to Australia in 1902 with his parents and younger brother Stanley. They settled in Dulwich Hill in Sydney.
Percy was 5 foot 8 1/2 inches, 136 pounds with Blue eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.
He worked as a commercial traveler prior to the War and was also involved in Senior Cadets.
On enlistment with his mates William Bentley, Percy was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th reinforcements , they were later transferred to the 54th Battalion.
At Fromelles, an eyewitness account recounted Percy and William were killed by a shell blast deep in enemy lines.
For over 108 years, Percy has been recorded as buried in the Rue de Bois Military Cemetery, Plot I, Row F, Grave No. 43, Fleurbaix, France.
An inscription on his original gravesite cast doubt in this however, it stated “Believed to be” . William Bentley is named as laying in grave No. 42.
Percy’s name and correct service number also appeared on a death list that the Germans provided as early as November 1916 and also in later records.
A memorial inscription from his family reads:
“He is gone yet he is near us,
Maybe he can see and hear us;
Yes, we feel him nearer, dearer,
Tears have washed our souls' eyes clearer”
Percy Barr is identified and now lies in a grave at Pheasant Wood.
Obviously, a mistake in the burial details exists for Grave 43 at Rue de Bois Military Cemetery, we anticipate that the authorities will make every effort to correctly identify who lies in that grave.
For more information, visit https://fromelles.info/.../3006-corporal-percy-george.../
Lest we forget.
