_On Wednesday 22nd August, 1917, the parents of Private G. Barnfather,
living at Gordon Street, Choppington, were notified by Lieut. Walton of
the West Riding Regiment, that their son had been killed. In his letter
Lieut. Walton stated that the deceased soldier was one of the best in
his section, and expressed his symphony with the parents.
Previous to enlisting, Mr. Barnfather was in Durham College. He received his earlier education in the Choppington Council School under Mr. Grocock. He gained a scholarship at Morpeth Grammar School, tenable for four years. He taught in Choppington Council School for twelve months, afterwards going to Durham College, where he was when war broke out.
He enlisted in the 7th Northumberland's and was made a Corporal in August, 1916. He went out to France and was transferred to the Scout Section (Headquarters Coy) of the West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellington's.)
One of his fellow scouts, Private W. McHugh, son of County Councillor Andrew McHugh, who was wounded in March, 1917, writing of his chum, said: "He is a wonderful chap, full of life, always cheery, always ready and one of the first to discern the movements of the enemy. His ability is marvelous, he is the life and soul of the section."
The following letter were also received by Mr. and Mrs. Barnfather, from Lieut. Walton.
Dear Mrs. Barnfather - Probably you will have had notification by now of the sad death of your son, Lance Corporal Barnfather. I have charge of the section in which he has served for some months and he has always been one of my best and cheeriest men. I have felt his loss very much, but to you his death must be a great blow indeed. May I express to you my deep sympathy in your bereavement. Yours etc. J. C. Walton. Lieut.
The following letter was sent by H. Hincliff of the Scout Section.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Barnfather - No doubt by the time you get this letter you will have heard about your son's death. It is with deepest regret I have to write to you, but the Scout Section, West Riding Regt., send their deepest sympathy. He was a fine lad and a good soldier. He was a friend of everyone he met. He was always cheerful whatever the times were. I hope it will help to relieve you when you know that he died a soldiers death, fighting for his King and Country. We feel his loss very much. Our Scout Sergeant C.C. Chambers was killed at the same time. Yours etc. H. Hincliff.
Previous to enlisting, Mr. Barnfather was in Durham College. He received his earlier education in the Choppington Council School under Mr. Grocock. He gained a scholarship at Morpeth Grammar School, tenable for four years. He taught in Choppington Council School for twelve months, afterwards going to Durham College, where he was when war broke out.
He enlisted in the 7th Northumberland's and was made a Corporal in August, 1916. He went out to France and was transferred to the Scout Section (Headquarters Coy) of the West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellington's.)
One of his fellow scouts, Private W. McHugh, son of County Councillor Andrew McHugh, who was wounded in March, 1917, writing of his chum, said: "He is a wonderful chap, full of life, always cheery, always ready and one of the first to discern the movements of the enemy. His ability is marvelous, he is the life and soul of the section."
The following letter were also received by Mr. and Mrs. Barnfather, from Lieut. Walton.
Dear Mrs. Barnfather - Probably you will have had notification by now of the sad death of your son, Lance Corporal Barnfather. I have charge of the section in which he has served for some months and he has always been one of my best and cheeriest men. I have felt his loss very much, but to you his death must be a great blow indeed. May I express to you my deep sympathy in your bereavement. Yours etc. J. C. Walton. Lieut.
The following letter was sent by H. Hincliff of the Scout Section.
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Barnfather - No doubt by the time you get this letter you will have heard about your son's death. It is with deepest regret I have to write to you, but the Scout Section, West Riding Regt., send their deepest sympathy. He was a fine lad and a good soldier. He was a friend of everyone he met. He was always cheerful whatever the times were. I hope it will help to relieve you when you know that he died a soldiers death, fighting for his King and Country. We feel his loss very much. Our Scout Sergeant C.C. Chambers was killed at the same time. Yours etc. H. Hincliff.
