The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 15 May 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 27 December 1915 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 58th Bn, and struck off strength of 4th Light Horse Regiment.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Reported missing, 19 July 1916.

Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 6 August 1916, pronounced fate as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Red Cross Record No 241002 has statement from 2206 Lance Corporal Leslie MILLS, A Company, 58th Bn (patient, Eye & Ear Hospital, Mount Sion, Tunbridge Wells, Kent), 5 August [1916?]: 'Informant states that on July 20/16 at Fleurbaix south of Armentieres 2nd Lieut. Barnfather he believes was killed in action. Lieut. Barnfather went out as one of the leaders in an attack on German trenches. They got into the trenches, but he is sure no English prisoners were taken.'

Second statement, 151 Trooper R. MORRIS, 2nd Anzac Cavalry (patient, Kingswood Park Hospital, Tunbridge Wells, Kent), 28 August 1916: 'Informant states that on 20th July at Albert, France during the advance he saw Mr. Barnfather fall, shot through the throat. He knew he could not live.'

Third statement, 2nd Lt N.I. BURNS (patient, 30th General Hospital, Calais), 2 October 1916: 'Lt Barnfather fell shortly after we got over, and both his and Lt. Scott's bodies were seen but not recovered. This was at Fromelles, but more to the right than where Bruce fell.'

Fourth statement, 3344 F.J. McKAY, 58th Bn, 13 November 1917: 'I saw Casualty killed at Fleurs on the 19th July, 1916 in the act of leaving the trench, by H.E. shell. Casualty was properly buried.'