Robert Morton Barrie

Robert Barrie was the son of Mrs. Mary Barrie of 49 Dundas Terrace, Aniston, Gorebridge, Midlothian, Scotland.

Barrie volunteered for service and was posted to 5th Reserve Cavalry Regiment with No. 9783, before being transferred to the Black Watch. He arrived in France on 01/10/1915. The battalion was then sent to Mesopotamia and took part in the attempts to relieve General Townsend, who was besieged in the town of Kut by the Turkish army. On January 4, 1916 the battalion, part of a British column, marched to Ali Gharbi and then under General Younghusband pushed to break through the Turkish lines. Despite several efforts bad weather and strongly entrenched Turkish positions ensured little progress was made. The attack at Hanna on April 22, 1916 was not strong enough to dislodge the Turks and the Black Watch suffered heavy casualties, including Pte. Barrie who was killed.

Pte. Barrie was buried at Amara War Cemetery, Mesopotamia. 17.E.5