Bunbury – Wellington District Western Australia
07/11/1914- To No. 2 Australian Stationary Hospital Blackboy Hill Camp WA as Private
14/12/1914- Embarked Fremantle WA aboard “Kyarra” bound for Egypt
21/01/1915- Disembarked Alexandria to Overseas Training Base
22/04/1915-Joined General Stationary Hospital Mudros Gallipoli Peninsula
13/08/1915-Appointed acting Corporal 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital Mudros
21/01/1916-Disembarked Alexandria ex “Dunvegan Castle” ex Mudros
02/02/1916- Reverts to Private at 2nd Australian Stationary Hospital Tel-el-Kebir Egypt
14/03/1916-Promoted Corporal in the field Egypt
16/03/1916- Transferred to 51st Battalion Egypt
05/06/1916- Disembarked Alexandria with British Expeditionary Forces bound for Marseilles France
12/06/1916- Disembarked Marseilles France
12/09/1916-Transferred to 13th Field Ambulance in the field France
22/09/1916- Attached to 51st Battalion in the field France
10/10/1916-Recommended for Award of Distinguished Conduct Medal
23/02/1917- Awarded Distinguished Conduct Medal for Actions at Pozieres France
21/03/1917- Rejoined 13th Australian Field Ambulance France ex Detachment to 51st Battalion
1/04/1917-Promoted to Sergeant with 13th Australian Field Ambulance France
24/06/1917- Detached to 2nd Anzac Corps Cadet School England
10/08/1917- Attending No. 6 Officers Cadet Battalion Balliol College Oxford England
29/08/1917- Posted to General Infantry Reinforcements ex School
27/11/1917- To Admin Headquarters London for Appointment to Commission
29/11/1917- Promoted Second Lieutenant & Posted to General Infantry Reinforcements
14/12/1917- Proceeded Overseas 4th Australian Division Base Depot Havre France ex Southampton
17/12/1917- Taken on Strength 51st Battalion France ex Base Depot
24/04/1918-Reported Missing in Action then Subsequently Confirmed as Killed in Action near Villers-Brettoneux France.
STATEMENTS FROM 51st BATTALION SOLDIERS FOLLOWING HIS REPORT AS MISSING:-
6072- THOMAS. E- ” About 10.00 p.m on 24th April 1918 I personally saw 2Lieut BARRETT DCM in his own reserve trenches at Villers-Brettoneux when he was quite well.”
3614-PEARMINE. A-” 2 Lieut BARRETT was in charge of No. 3 Platoon of “A” Company 51st Battalion in a charge at Villers-Brettoneux on 24th April 1918 about 9.50 p.m.”
SERVICE MEDALS AWARDED
1914/1915 Star- Medal No. 15941
British War Medal – No. 5172
Victory Medal – No. 5170
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Memorial Plaque and Scroll – No. 358420.
MEMORIAL INSCRIPTIONS
Capel War Memorial WA
Australian War Memorial Canberra ACT _ Panel No. 152.
Villers-Brettoneux War Memorial France.
DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
Date of Recommendation- 10 October 1916
” For Bravery and Endurance at duty near POZIERES France 13th to 16th August 1916. Between these dates this N. C. O. worked at the Battalion Aid Post , and whilst under heavy shell fire , he repeatedly carried on his back wounded men from saps into the Aid Post. His cheerful manner and example did much good amongst the wounded. He showed the same qualities again at the Battalion Aid Post on September 3rd and 4th, 1916. “
The citation read:- “Awarded DCM for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended and dressed the wounded under heavy fire, setting a splendid example of courage and cheerfulness throughout.”
Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazettes, No. 103: 29 June 1917 & No. 116 :25 July 1917
Location in Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No. 116: Page 1540, Position 18
Date of London Gazettes: Third Supplement No. 29886 dated 29 December 1916 & Supplement No. 29940 Dated 1 January 1917.
Location in London Gazette Supplement No. 29940: Page 51, Position 1