Robert Angus Barter (1892 - 1984)

Born 6 May 1892 in Escuminac, Quebec, Canada

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Lillian (Dawson) Barter — married 16 Apr 1919 in Grande-Cascapédia, QC, Canada

Descendants

Died 26 Apr 1984 at age 91 in New Richmond, Bonaventure, Quebec, Canada

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Pvt Bob Barter served in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I
Service started: 2 June 1916
Unit(s): 189th Battn, CEF; 23rd Battn, France, 24th Battn
Service ended: 31 January 1918

Biography

Robert was born in 1892 as the twin of Duncan. He is the son of John Wells Barter and Marian Eliza (Carmichael) Barter. ^[1]

Robert is listed with his parents and siblings in the 1901 Canada Census. They are living in New Richmond, Bonaventure Co. QC. His father is listed as being of Scottish extraction, a Presbyterian, and a farmer.^[2]

Robert is listed again with his parents and siblings in the Township of New Richmond in the 1911 Canada Census. He is listed as of English heritage.^[3]

He was the twin brother of Duncan Lemuel Barter, but looked completely different. Robert was 6'-2" tall with a ruddy/fair complexion, grey eyes and red hair^[4]. Duncan was 5" shorter at 5"-7" tall and had a dark complexion, brown eyes and dark hair^[5].

A family story tells of him military service: ROBERT ANGUS BARTER -- Service Number: 889455 -- Rank of Private

Born May 6th, 1892; 6’3” Red Hair, Blue Eyes Enlisted in CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Force) on May 29th, 1916 at New Carlisle, P.Q. He was originally in 189th Battalion but was transferred to 24th Battalion upon arrival in France. After training at Valcartier Camp for 4 months sailed from Halifax on S.S. Lapland with brother John Harold Barter on September 25th, 1916. Arrived in England on October 6th, 1916. He saw action in France at the Battle of the Somme during the later months of 1916. His battalion moved to the Vimy sector in January 1917. He was diagnosed with Trench Nephritis in January 1917 and was transferred to several military hospitals in France and England over a 9-month period. During his final hospital stay in Liverpool, England he met his future wife Elizabeth Lillian Dawson. He returned to Canada in September 1917 and was finally discharged from the military on January 31st, 1918.^[6]

Robert enlisted in the Canadian Expedition Force for service as a Private in WW1 on May 29, 1916 in the 189th Battalion; ten months after his twin brother, Duncan. He served in France with the 24th Battalion at the Somme in October, 1916, and at Vimy Ridge in January, 1917. He was returned to England in August, 1917 with swollen feet, lumbar pain, frequent urination and abumineria. He was medically discharged on January 31, 1918, due to nephritis - the inflammation of the kidneys - which he contracted in Bruay, France. (This was where his younger brother, John Harold Barter-14th Battalion, was killed and buried in April 1917 during the Battle of Vimy Ridge.) His medical condition was considered a severe and permanent disability.^[7]

In the b&w photo of Robert in uniform, the caption from the Chaleur Bay Military Museum^[8] reads: "Robert Angus Barter (889455) and his twin brother, Duncan, were born on May 6, 1892. Their parents, John Wells and Marian Eliza (Carmichael) Barter, had four sons in total: James Forest, Harold, Duncan and Robert Angus. A year after his brother Duncan enlisted, Robert Angus also joined the army on May 29, 1916 (at age 24). He served with the 24th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Robert wore a black button on his uniform (see photo) – this button indicated that he had lost a family member in the war. His brother, Harold, died at Vimy Ridge on April 11, 1917."

Robert is listed with his wife, "Lillian", and son, Harold (assumedly named after his dead brother), in the 1921 Canada Census. They are living in New Richmond, Bonaventure Co., QC. He is listed as being of Scottish heritage, a Presbyterian and a labourer.^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Entered by Howard Pike, Sunday, September 15, 2013.
2. ↑ Canada Census 1901-z000128893.jpg
3. ↑ Canada Census 1911-e002045995.jpg
4. ↑ Robert Angus Barter Regt # 889455, CEF Regimental Documents
5. ↑ Duncan Barter Regt # 417346, CEF Regimental Documents
6. ↑ Memory shared by Jim Douglass (Robert's grandson).
7. ↑ Robert Angus Barter Regt # 889455, CEF Regimental Documents
8. ↑ http://www.chaleurmilitarymuseum.com/memories/b.htm
9. ↑ Canada Census 1921_108-E003062642.jpg

Footnotes

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Howard Pike for creating Barter-114 on 15 Sep 13. Click the Changes tab for the details on contributions by Howard and others.