William Patrick BARRY

06 September 1918

Lieutenant W. P. Barry, Skipton

It is also our sad duty to record the death of another fine young Skipton officer - Lieutenant William Patrick Barry, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Barry, of 29 Bright Street, Skipton. The distressing news was received by telegram from the War Office on Sunday morning, and details were afterwards forthcoming in the following letter dated August 29th, from Lieut. A. Marsden, of the Duke of Wellington's Regiment:- "I have the painful task of informing you that your son, Wm. Patrick, was killed late last night by a shell which also badly wounded our Colonel and another officer. He and I had been chums ever since he joined us in May 1917, and we had always been the very best of pals; in fact, we were as two brothers. He was a fine soldier, always keen and industrious, and what was more his habits were never changed by the fact that he was out here. He was always most regular at Church, and his life was well worthy of being a pattern. I feel his loss very intensely, for I realise that I have lost the very best of pals, one who was always willing to help one in every possible way."

Lieut. Barry, who was 23 years old, enlisted in the ranks of the 'Duke's' in September 1914, and served in France from April 1915, until December 1916 (having in the meantime risen to the rank of Sergeant), when he was offered and accepted a commission. He returned home for the necessary training, and four months later, in April 1917, went back to the Front. He had had some miraculous escapes in the fighting line, but had come through without injury. As an intelligence officer during the past twelve months he had earned the esteem of his superiors, and had been presented with a Certificate of Merit "in recognition of conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under heavy trench mortar and machine gun fire on the night of 6th/7th September 1917."

After leaving the Skipton Grammar School, Lieut. Barry was articled to Mr. Weston, chartered accountant, Skipton, and had passed his preliminary examination. He was closely associated with St. Stephen's Church, and was a member of the Guild.

Second-Lieutenant Bertie Slater, son of Mr. J. Slater, Skipton and Ilkley, confirms the death of Lieut. Barry, and states that on Thursday last week he assisted to bury him in the cemetery just behind the lines, a cross marking the grave.

Among a number of letters received by Mr. and Mrs. Barry is one from Lieut.-Colonel E. M. Huntriss, commanding the regiment, in which he says he was standing next to the deceased officer when the fatality occurred, and death was instantaneous. The O.C. adds:- "For a long time he was in my company, and I have never had a braver or more willing officer under my command. He was, without exception, always the first to volunteer for the special jobs and set a splendid personal example to his men by his zeal and devotion to duty."

Mr. G. H. Milner writes, expressing keen personal sympathy, as does Captain J. Petty, who was at the Skipton Grammar School with Lieut. Barry, and joined the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment with him in September 1914. Captain Petty speaks of his lovable disposition and popularity with his fellow officers and men, and adds:- "He was a very gallant fellow and had previously been recommended for the Military Cross."

A. H. Bellhouse, the deceased officer's servant, also writes very feelingly of his former master, and says he and two friends laid him in his last resting place.

Mr. and Mrs. Barry desire, through our columns, to acknowledge the many sympathetic letters they have received, and regret that it is not possible to personally acknowledge them.

13 September 1918

SKIPTON UNION BOARD OF GUARDIANS - A Member's Loss

In fitting terms the Chairman expressed the members' sympathy with Mr. Barry in the great loss he had sustained through the death in action of his son, Lieutenant W. P. Barry, and remarked that attached to the distressing tidings which kept coming through about our young men was the thought that they had laid down their lives for the sake of their country in a magnificent spirit. A vote of condolence with Mr. Barry and his family was adopted in the customary manner, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr. Emmott.

04 July 1919

PEACE SUPPLEMENT TO THE 'CRAVEN HERALD' - CRAVEN'S FALLEN OFFICERS

LIEUTENANT W. P. BARRY

Duke of Wellington's Regiment, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Barry, 29 Bright Street, Skipton. Killed in action August 28th, 1918, aged 23 years.

29 August 1919

BARRY - In loving remembrance of Lieut. W. P. (Willie) Barry, who was killed August 28th. 1918.

"Gone but not forgotten" by his friends, Mr. and Mrs. Sedgwick.