Harrogate Herald - 11th October 1916

Information has been received that Corporal Robert Barrett, son of Mrs Barrett, of Electric Avenue, New Park, Harrogate, has been killed in action on September 29th. Before enlisting Corporal Barrett was employed by the Harrogate Road Car Co. His mother had received the following letters :

Dear Mrs Barrett, I owe your son such a debt of gratitude for all he had done for me during the last six months whilst in my section, that I feel it my duty to try and repay a little bit of it in writing a note of sympathy to you, if I can, to lighten a little of the burden of sorrow you are feeling at his loss. Knowing him as I do, I cannot overestimate what that sorrow is. As a soldier and as a true supporter of the right cause, nothing I can say is high enough praise for him. He had the cause and his duty a heart, and he never once flinched from carrying it out, no matter how trying the circumstances were. As a soldier and an NCO his death was a serious loss to us. He had the confidence and support of the men, and they will feel his loss as a companion almost as intensely as his friends and relations at home. It is men such as he who, in the noble sacrifice of their lives, are the saviours of England and the British Empire. I know that this is but poor compensation to your aching heart, but if it is any comfort to you now or afterwards, it is only a poor form of gratitude to Corporal Barrett that I try to express the sympathy I and the NCOs and No. 4 Section feel for you in your great loss. God help you to bear it - I remain, yours in sympathy, J R Bellerby, Lieutenant, 146th MG Company.

Dear Mrs Barrett, I am sorry to let you know that Robert was killed last Tuesday night, the 29 August. He was well liked, and I shall miss him, as I was on his team. I share my deepest sympathy with you. Many a time have he and I talked of home. But God's will be done. He has given all for his King and country, and done his duty as a soldier would. I thought it my duty to let you know, as it is an anxious time for all. Our officer will lose a good NCO, I can tell you. I expect you will hear from our officer later, and he will tell you more about him. He was buried behind the line, and the chaplain read the prayers. You have my deepest sympathy in the loss of your only son. I am, yours faithfully, R Nutton

[Photo available]

CWGC

In Memory of

R BARRETT

Corporal 22535th Bn., West Yorkshire Regt. (Prince of Wales's Own) who died on Monday, 28th August 1916. Age 19.

Additional Information:

Son of Mrs. Barrett, of 46, Electric Avenue, New Park, Harrogate.

Commemorative Information

Cemetery:

HAMEL MILITARY CEMETERY, BEAUMONT-HAMEL, Somme, France

Grave Reference/Panel Number:

I. F. 12.