Barry, William Charles (Private, b.1883 - d.1954)

Place Europe: Germany, Aachen
Accession Number PR00814
Collection type Private Record
Record type Collection
Measurement 3 items (5 cms)
Object type Memoir
Maker Barry, William Charles
Date made 1915-1954
Access Open
Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. AWM371 96/0853
Conflict First World War, 1914-1918
Copying Provisions Copyright restrictions apply. Only personal, non-commercial, research and study use permitted. Permission of copyright holder required for any commercial use and/or reproduction.
Description

Two notebooks containing the handwritten memoirs of Private William Charles Barry (No.2514), 4th Reinforcements, 29 Battalion, compiled prior to 1920 following the confiscation of the original diaries by the Germans. The typescript transcript of the memoirs entitled "Playing the game with the A.I.F. during the Great War..." contains some additional notes. The memoirs commence with Private Barry's enlistment in 1915 at St Kilda, Victoria, his time spent at Royal Park Camp with a number of Collingwood men, including John Wren; his voyage aboard the SS Anchises to Colombo then Egypt arriving in the trenches of France in July 1916 where he was wounded and captured by the Germans. Prior to being sent to a prisoner of war camp at Langensalza, near Saxony, Pte Barry spent time in military hospitals where his leg was eventually amputated. The memoirs contain detailed descriptions of the journey to Egypt, hospital life, prison life, the German treatment of the Irish, English, Russian and Italian prisoners and the impact of the Red Cross.