The AIF Project

Recommendation date: 15 May 1918

'On the 12th April, 1918, in front of HANGARD WOOD he was senior N.C.O. with a lewis gun crew under the command of Lieutenant COLLYER which held No. 1 post in the front line, protecting the British Right Flank and adjoining the French Left. The French Post about 20 yards away was held by a machine gun section. A quarter of an hour before the intense artillery barrage by the enemy opened on our front line and the WOOD, Sergeant BARBER was left in charge of the post whilst Lieutenant COLLYER went to confer with the French Commander. After the barrage opened Sergeant BARBER was informed by the French that Lieutenant COLLYER had been killed, and that the enemy were advancing through the WOOD and the village, and at the French Commander's request he took the gun out of the post with some of his crew and assisted the French in the open to drive back the enemy who had attempted to cut off the French Post from its flank. He personally reported his action to 2nd Lieutenant BRADFORD who was in command of No. 2 Post, though the whole of the flank was at that time under a continuous hail of bullets from machine guns and rifles besides shells. Later in the day No. 1 Post was subjected to concentrated fire of 5.9 shells from the enemy batteries which swept the western end of the WOOD, and Sergeant BARBER remained there until all his men had been killed or wounded and kept his gun in action all the time. His personal example of courage and resourcefulness undoubtedly inspired confidence in the French Left Flank when it was in grave danger and helped to avert disaster and ultimately restore the line.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919