The AIF Project

Richard Arthur BARRY

Regimental number21917
Place of birthWellington, New Zealand
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationPlumber
Address11 Cecil Street, Prahran, Victoria
Marital statusMarried
Age at embarkation32
Next of kinWife, Mrs P Barry, 11 Cecil Street, Prahran, Victoria
Enlistment date9 February 1916
Place of enlistmentMelbourne, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentGunner
Unit nameHowitzer Brigade 23, Head-Quarters
AWM Embarkation Roll number13/133/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A7 Medic on 20 May 1916
Rank from Nominal RollGunner
Unit from Nominal Roll8th Field Artillery Brigade
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


Recommendation date: 25 September 1917

FateReturned to Australia 21 June 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'On 24th September 1917, at HALFWAY HOUSE, near YRES, when told there sere several casualties amongst English Artillery Drivers about half a mile away, there being no stretcher bearers available, these two men [BARRY and 20382 T.I. HIGGINS] took stretchers, dressed a severely wounded man and applied a tourniquet, thereby probably saving the man's life. Collecting two more men, they formed a stretcher party to carry this man back to HALFWAY HOUSE. While doing so the enemy opened a Barrage on HALFWAY HOUSE, but these two men took the stretcher themselves and got the man to the Dressing Station at HALFWAY HOUSE successfully. They then returned through the Barrage and brought in several cases from the 30th Battery. This was done under very heavy hostile shell fire of all calibres from 4.2" to 8", these men displaying an utter disregard for personal danger. The foregoing is only one instance of similar fine work these men have performed during the past few days.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 31
Date: 7 March 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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