25th County of London Cyclist Battalion
The London Regiment


 Ernest Cecil BARBER


 
Ernest was the son of Albert Barber, a Poultry Merchant and Alice (nee Jones). In the 1911 census Ernest was listed as a junior salesman (Boot). It is most likely that he died of influenza as did some of his colleagues at this time.


Another loss is sustained by the Battalion in the death of Corporal Barber who was one of the few remaining peace-time 25th men. On the outbreak of war he went to Lowestoft with the First Battalion ("F" Company), and in the amalgamation at Chiseldon he was posted to "B" Company, till he joined the Drum and Fife Band on its inception. When the Waziristan Field Force was assembled, he returned to No. & Platoon, receiving his second stripe at Tank. On the return of the Battalion he was appointed Sports Secretary and was placed in charge of the Billiard Room, in both of which capacities he worked hard and efficiently.

Only a week before his death he returned to Company duty at his won request in order to become re-accustomed to Company routine, as he had applied for a commission. He was liked and respected by everyone alike, and the news of his death came as a melancholy surprise to everybody.

[The Londoner magazine, Feb 1919 - V.III, No.2 pg.53.]


Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-19

Barber, Ernest Cecil, born Shepherds Bush, resident Holloway Road, enlisted Fulham, 740044, L/Cpl., died in India, 22 Oct 1918.

['Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-19', Vol. 10, Part 76, Page 206, 25th (County of London) Battalion (Cyclists), pub. 1921 by His Majesty's Stationary Office]
 

       

In Memory of

Corporal ERNEST CECIL BARBER

740044, 1st/25th Bn., London Regiment (Cyclists)

who died age 24 on 22 October 1918 in India

Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Barber, of 13, Lancaster Rd. Stroud Green, London.
 
Remembered with honour Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial, India.  Face 10.


   
Commemorated in perpetuity by
the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The Kirkee Memorial commemorates more than 1,800 servicemen who died in India during the First World War, who are buried in civil and cantonment cemeteries in India and Pakistan* where their graves can no longer be properly maintained. This total includes the names of 629 servicemen whose remains were brought from Bombay (Sewri) Cemetery for re-interment here in 1960.

Kirkee, also known as Khadki, is a Military Cantonment adjoining the large university town of Poona on the Plateau above Bombay . It can be reached by train from Bombay to Poona or by long distance taxi service from Dada Taxi Stand, Bombay . There are direct flights from Bombay , Madras and Delhi but these tend to be irregular. Taxis and Motor Rickshaws are available from Poona Railway Station. To reach Kirkee War Cemetery , in which the memorial stands, one must ask for Mula Road along which the cemetery is located. One way is to cross the Sangam Bridge and follow the road which has the River Mula on its right. The CWGC road direction board is on a crossroads with the Bombay Poona Road . The cemetery is situated on the right hand side and backs onto the river. From the railway station follow the way via Juna Bazar, Sangam Bridge , past the Engineering college, over Wakdewadi Bridge , past Bajaj Kamal Nayan Udyan and onto Bhayawadi and Mula Roads. From the airport, one reaches Ahmadnagar Road which joins onto Nagar Road followed by Deccan College Road ; over the Holkar Bridge and, keeping left at the junction with Elphinson road, one enters Mula Road . The cemetery is a short distance away on the left hand side of the road. The Commonwealth War Graves road direction sign is situated at the junctions of Elphinson Road and Mula Road , but it should be noted that this is often hidden from view by Market Stalls.

[Courtesy of Commonwealth War Graves Commission]


 

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