Harold Barling
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harold Barling was born in 1894 at Newark and was the son of Harry a railway carter and Caroline Barling née Baker of 33 Brand Street, Meadow Lane, Nottingham.His father Harry was born in 1862 at Ruckinge, Kent and his mother Caroline Baker was born in 1864 at Ivychurch, Kent, they were married in 1885 at Newark and went on to have the following children, Albert b1886, Edith b1888, Harold b1884, Elise b1895 and Cyril Barling b189, all were born in Newark. In the 1911 census the family are living at 33 Brand Street, Meadow Lane, Nottingham and are shown as Harry 49 yrs a railway carter, he is living with his wife Caroline 47 yrs and their children, Albert 25 yrs a railway clerk, Edith 23 yrs a machinist, Harold 17 yrs a clerk at an estate agents, Elsie 16 yrs and Cyril 13 yrs.
Second Lieutenant Harold Barling enlisted as a private (17400) in the Sherwood Foresters Regiment.He landed in France on 14th July 1915. Harold received his commission on 23rd January 1916 into the Leicestershire Regiment. He was killed in action on 15th June 1916. According to a report in the local paper he was shot in the thigh and died from loss of blood fifteen minutes later. His platton buried him in a village cemetery.Harold is buried in Hannescamps New Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France (grave ref. E.10).CWGC - History of Hannescamps New Military Cemetery (extract): 'The village of Hannescamps was just behind the Allied front line until June 1916, and again in 1918. Hannescamps New Military Cemetery was begun in March 1916 and used until February 1917, and again in March 1918. Thirty graves were brought into the cemetery from the immediate neighbourhood after the Armistice.' (www.cwgc.org)
Nottingham Evening Post, 'Roll of Honour, 21 June 1916 (abridged): 'Barling. Killed in action June 15th, Second Lieutenant Harold Barling, Leicestershire Regiment.'Newark Herald on 24th June 1916 :- 'Son of Mr Barling who for many years was employed by the LNW Railway Co. in Newark. Harold was a scholar at the Wesleyan school. Upon leaving obtained a post in the Newark Division Liberal Association offices in Cartergate. But consequent to his father moving to Nottingham, he left Newark and took a position at the Daimler Motor Works. In Sept. 1914 enlisted in the Nottingham City battalion. But owing to insufficient men to form a complete battalion was drafted to the 10th Sherwood Foresters. Again transferred in Jn. 1915 to 12th Sherwood Foresters and went to France in July. He received his first stripe in October and was granted a commission in January, being posted to the 8th Leics. Struck by a bullet in the thigh and soon became unconscious through loss of blood and died a quarter of an hour later. Buried the following night in a village cemetery, by the men of his platoon.'Newark Herald, 5 August 1916. Report of the death of James Harper, 3rd Bn Leicestershire Regiment, who was killed in action on 15 July 1916 (extract): 'The last letter from him [James Harper to parents] was received on June 21st, and in this he mentioned the sad death of Lieut. Barling, and also that he had been to see the grave of Alfred Savage [KIA 22 September 1915] (another Newark lad) who was just behind the trenches, and had a nice cross upon it.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate proven (with Will) on 17th October 1916 at Nottingham: Harold Barling of 33 Brand Street, Meadow Lane, Nottingham, Second Lieutenant in H.M. Army died 15th June 1916 in France, Effects £16, 18 shilling and 6 pence. Administration awarded to Caroline Barling wife of Harry Barling.
