Joseph Claude Barson
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
His birth was registered in Nottingham in 1889 (Jan/Feb/Mar), first names Joseph Claude C. although he was known as Claude. He was the only surviving child of John and Fanny Barson whose two other children did not survive childhood. John Barson, a chimney sweep, died in 1899 aged 37. In 1901 Claude and his mother, Fanny (39), were living in the ecclesiastic parish of St Thomas (address illegible on the census). They shared the home with two boarders, Harry and Minnie Wakefield; Harry was a chimney sweep. By 1911 Fanny and Claude were living at 59 St Peter's Street, Radford, Nottingham. Fanny was working as a cotton reeler while Claude was a coal dealer on his own account. Fanny later lived at 13 Garden Street, Radford. Claude married Ivy Irene Outram in Nottingham in 1913 (Jul/Aug/Sep). According to the notice of Claude's death in the local paper in 1919 he left a widow and 'little sons' although the evidence suggests that the boys were born before he and Ivy were married. In 1911 Ivy (18, b. 1893) was living in Sherwood with her mother, Sarah; also in the household was Sarah's grandson, Claude Harold Outram (1). Claude's birth was registered in Nottingham in 1910 (Apr/May/Jun). It is probable that another son, Joseph Barson, was born to Claude and Ivy in 1911 (registered Oct/Nov/Dec). There is also a record of a Dorothy Barson (mother's maiden name Outram) born in 1914 (Aug/Sep/Oct), but as no record has been traced of Dorothy's death before 1919 and the notice in the paper does not mention a daughter, it is unlikely that she was Claude and Ivy's child. The family lived at 18 Garden Street, Radford (CWGC). His widow probably never remarried as the death of an Ivy Irene Barson (83) was registered in Nottingham in March 1977.
He died of pneumonia at 8th Canadian Stationary Hospital Dunkirk on 20th February 1919 and was buried in Dunkirk Town Cemetery. He qualified for the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Nottingham Post notice (abridged), 25 February 1919: 'Barson on 20th February, Guardsman Joseph Claude Barson, 3rd Grenadier Guards, husband of Ivy Barson and only son of Fanny Barson, 13 Garden Street, Radford. Wife, mother, little sons.' In memoriam published 20th February 1920 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “BARSON. – In loving memory of Pte. Claude Barson, late 3rd Grenadier Guards, who died in France, of pneumonia, February 20th, 1919, while returning home from the army of occupation to be demobilised. Though lost to sight to memory ever dear. – From his loving wife, mother, and little sons Claude and Joe Above notice is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. His widow, Ivy Irene Barson, was his sole legatee.
No Photos