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Remembering - 90th Anniversary 1914-18 -2008

terry carter

Birmingham Pals
Remembering


The Birmingham Weekly Post, Saturday, 7 December, 1918

Pte Stephen Gilmore, Welsh Fusiliers, aged 20, died of pneumonia in Egypt on November 16. He was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Gilmore of 18 Coventry Street, Digbeth. His brother Pte Thomas Gilmore, Warwicks, aged 19, died of wounds in France on November 9.

Gunner H Barr, R.G.A., aged 27, Killed November 2, was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs Barr, of 284, Clifton Road, Sparkbrook. He joined up in March 1916, and leaves a wife and little son at 80, Newlands Road, Stirchley.

Pte B Barr, 8th Berks, aged 18, killed on November 4, was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Barr of 284, Clifton Road, Sparkbrook. He joined on his 18th Birthday last January. One more son is still serving and he has been wounded once.

(Regarding the Gilmore brothers, the Birmingham Weekly Post has their surname as Gilmour, however, the Commonwealth War Graves Commision and their Medal Index Cards have them as Gilmore)

Stephen Gilmore, No.268622, was serving with the 2nd Garrison Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers when he died of pneumonia. His Medal Index Card also states that he had served in the Royal Warwickshire Regt., No.5086. he is buried in the Alexandria War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt

Thomas Gilmore, Pte, No.57845, was serving with the 10th Bn Royal Warwicks when he died of wounds. He is buried in Solesmes British Cemetery, France. Thomas and Stephen were the sons of James and Margaret Gilmore of Coventry Street, Digbeth.

Gunner Harry Barr, No.73241, 115 Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, originally signed up in Birmingham on the 11 December, 1915. At the time this was known as the 'Derby Scheme'. After he signed up he carried on with his civilian occupation until being called up in March 1916. His details can be found in the Military Records on Ancestry UK. Harry Barr is buried in Verchain British Cemetery, France.

Pte Benjamin Barr, No.45840, 8th Bn Royal Berkshire, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis en Artois Memorial, France. Harry and Benjamin were the sons of Benjamin Thomas and Mary Ann Barr. The other son that was serving was James Barr. The family also had two daughters, Elsie and Mary.
 
Thanks Terry these posts bring it all home so to speak.......so sad.
 
Two sets of brothers, how sad.
I've just entered up on my brother in law's tree, his grandfather William Henry France, died prisoner of war 5th. March 1915, buried Berlin. Facts that look so stark, that would have had such an impact on the loved ones that received that news.
My father was born on 11th. November 1917, and I always try to be at the cemetery at 11 o' clock, to pay my respects to him, because I can still see him standing head bowed each year on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Ann
 
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