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A rural view of the Dashwood Avenue area (picture from SWOP website)	William Barrett's memorial on his wife's grave High Wycombe Cemetery

William Barrett 1877/8 - 1915

My name is William Barrett and I am remembered in High Wycombe Cemetery on two separate graves. My name, and the name of my brother Frederick, are inscribed along the kerbstone of our parents' grave in E Con and you can read Frederick's story there. However, I am also remembered on my wife's grave here, in the 1920s cemetery extension. My wife and I lived along the West Wycombe Road with our children Edith and John.

I was Frederick's older brother. We were the sons of John and Sarah Barrett and brothers of Joseph, John, Alice, and Albert. I served through the South African War, as did many Wycombe men, and so it was only natural that I would want to be in the thick of it when war broke out with Germany. During the Great War I was Lance Corporal 9149 with the 5th Battalion of the Oxford & Bucks Light Infantry.

Frederick was always my little brother, several years my junior, and I think that I must have set him a good example as he spent a number of years with the Wycombe Territorials before the outbreak of war in 1914.

Like Frederick, I was also a chair maker with E Gomme in Leigh St. I was a member of the Bird in Hand cricket and gun clubs and enjoyed an active life. I married Edith Emily Dimmock in 1899 and she was living at 13 Dashwood Avenue when she heard of my death. I died from wounds on the 29th September 1915 and I am buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. I was 37.

Here is an extract from the Regimental Chronicle written by one of the officers: September 29th

Visited by the VIth Corps Commander, who addressed the Battalion on parade, and thanked all ranks for their very gallant conduct in the attack on Bellewaarde. He said that all the 42nd Brigade had done well, but this Battalion in particular, and he expressed his great sorrow at our heavy losses. The following Battalion Order was issued by Major W. F. R. Webb :

"The Commanding Officer desires to compliment all ranks on their gallant behaviour in the attack on Bellewaarde on the 25th. The determination and gallant bearing of the Right Column which led to primary success, and the courage with which the men of the Left Column went on after being practically destroyed by shell-fire, are incidents of which the Regiment may well be proud, and are worthy of the old traditions of the Corps. The Commanders of the Vth and VIth Corps have already complimented the Regiment on its achievements. That the Regiment had to give up the captured trenches was in no way due to the men, but was forced by the tactical situation. It is to be hoped that on the next occasion better fortune will attend the Regiment, and that permanent success will crown our efforts. "Those who have fallen let us remember with honour, not with regret, for they fell in a gallant fight. As far as we have been able to find out at present our casualties on the 24th and 25th September were : 2 Officers killed, 3 Officers missing, believed killed, 8 Officers wounded. 3 Co.-Sergts.-Maj.. 3 Sergeants, 45 other ranks killed. 15 Sergeants and 161 other ranks wounded. 2 Sergeants and 212 other ranks missing. Total of all ranks, 454. It is hoped, however, that some of the missing may have been picked up wounded."





Researched by staff and students of Wycombe Abbey, and Sally Scagell, Lost the Plot

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