Sending this email from Denmark. Spent three very interesting days based in in Zonnebeke, stayed at a great B & B across the road from Polygon Wood. Visited ANZAC Rest just down the road and met Johan Vandewalle, who as you may know has a great deal of knowledge about Flanders Field and has recovered a number of Australian Soldiers during excavations. I visited the “Thames” block house which my great uncle helped to capture and I walked along the old railway which is now a memorial foot path. Inside the cutting some of the original railway line has been uncovered. Saw my great uncle’s name on the gate as well as other 44th Bn members and the 8.00pm ceremony by the Fire Brigade was quite moving. Tyne Cot cemetary was very impressive. The rock walls and their colour made the cemetary stand out well before you got to it. I spent many hours just walking around the graves, an emotional experience, to see the utter waste of young lives, some just boys. Although no marked grave for my great uncle exists I did get some comfort just walking the ground. I walked through Polygon Wood every afternoon and was amazed how quite it was, the occasional dove call being the only sound that I heard. I returned to the cemetary on my last day and it was raining. I spent another few hours and just as I was leaving I found another casualty named “Barr”. I will visit again next year, I recommend the trip to everyone.

We will be visiting Menin Gate and I have the details of the panel which records his name. I will continue to watch this site with interest.

Regards,

Jeff Barr

Yes I am aware of the war diaries and have searched them looking for any related information. I have found a few entries which actually name my great, great uncle but nothing about the MM. He is named a few times as a member of patrols into no mans land, the first mention he has the rank of private.

Some of the material that I have obtained from the AWM collection contains personal letters sent from the front to his mother in Ireland as well as letters of condolence, particularly one dated the 13.10.17 from Captain Roy Skinner, Company Commander, 44th Battalion. I can see how that letter would have given some comfort to the family back in Ireland.

I do have a copy of a document “Graves Registration Unit (Exhumation)” which lists the cemetery as Tyne Cot. This document was one of several in the National Archives. Can you tell me if this document refers to a battle field exhumation and transfer to Tyne Cot or does it relate to an exhumation from Tyne Cot. Geographically, Tyne Cot is located close to where he fell on the 13th of October, 1917 as a direct result of shelling. This cemetery will be visited during our trip and I would like to know if he is buried there.

I will be visiting the AWM next week end with my family and we will be paying extra attention to exhibits that relate to this part of the war.

Many Thanks,

Jeffery Barr

Editor’s response: Hi Jeffery, he’s on the Menin Gate Memorial which lists those who died (or were missing presumed dead), and have no known grave. I’d have to have a look at the Graves Registration Unit document. I’ll contact you offline about this and the Military Medal.

Regards,
Craig.

I am also related to a casualty of this battle, his name was 337 Sergeant Hugh Barr, MM, 44th Battalion AIF. He was killed in action on the 13th of October, 1917. The AWM and National Archives sites have been a great resource and I have been able to obtain copies of photographs, service records, Battalion diaries and personal letters but like the previous responder I have been unsuccessful in locating a copy of the MM citation. Using the Battalion diaries and a foot note on pge 851 Chapter XX (Broodseinde) I have identified an action that took place on the 4th of October, 1917 which involved him and others taking two pillboxes and machine guns on the “red line” which was located near the railway line just north of Zonnebeke & Broodseinde. I have a map that marks the location of these pillboxes known as Thames. In July my family and I will walk the ground when we visit Ypres and surrounding areas.

Regards,

Jeffery Barr

Editor’s response: Hello Jeffery, thanks for your comment on this blog. I can see he has an entry on our database for his Military Medal pointing to it being published in both the London and Commonwealth Gazettes. But no, I couldn’t find the recommendation for it on that part of our database either. Leave it with me and I’ll see what I can find. I guess you’re aware of the 44th Battalion war diaries, available online?

Regards,

Craig Tibbitts
Curator Official Records
Australian War Memorial

Enjoyed these sites and have gained valuable information for our family.

Pamela Roberts

Editor’s response: Hello again Pamela, glad you’ve found these pages useful. Yes please do contact our Photographs Section here, regarding the photo of your great uncle. We are always looking for photos of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and are remembered on the Roll of Honour.

Craig Tibbitts.