Canada. A Memorial Cross, 10Th Canadian Mounted Rifle Battalion

George V (115713 L/Sgt. W.J. BARBER). Naming is engraved. Sterling silver, marked "STERLING" on the reverse, toned, on a full-length original neck ribbon, extremely fine.

Footnote: William Barber was born on March 15, 1893 in Paw Paw, Illinois, seventy-five miles west of Chicago. He was a resident of Portage la Prairie, Manitoba when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Private (115713) on November 30, 1915 in Portage la Prairie, at the age of 22, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Isabelle Barber of Portage la Prairie, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married, that his religion was Church of Christ and that his trade was that of Labourer. His mother was alive but his father had died previously during an operation for a tumor on his optic nerve and he had one sister. In regards to his pre-war medical history, he had had "Mumps" in 1900 at the age of 7, "Pneumonia" in January 1913 and Typhoid Fever in September 1914, making a full recovery on all three occasions. His health would be challenged in early 1916. While in camp at Portage la Prairie, he was struck with a severe attack of "Measles" on January 3, 1916, followed immediately by a dose of "Influenza" on the 5th. He was to spend four weeks in hospital recovering from both maladies, before being discharged to service on January 31st. Three weeks after his discharge, he had a severe reaction to an inoculation and was hospitalized from February 20th to the 28th. He once again suffered about of "Influenza", this time a mild attack, and was hospitalized from April 13th to the 20th. He made a complete recovery on all three occasions. Private Barber embarked Canada aboard the S.S. Olympic on April 28, 1916, arriving in England on May 10th and was taken on strength at Shorncliffe on May 22nd. He was taken on strength of the R.C.D.R.R. on June 12, 1916. Private Barber was admitted to Moore Barracks Hospital at Shorncliffe on July 5, 1916 with a case of "Bronchitis", where the attending physician noted that he had "had a cough for six months / pain in (the) left side for two weeks / shortness of breath for six months". After eleven weeks at Moore Barracks Hospital, he was transferred to the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Woodcote Park, Epsom, Surrey on September 22nd, where he was diagnosed with "Pleurisy" which incurred following a cold. Three weeks later, he was discharged to the Canadian Casualty Assembly Centre by the Board on October 13, 1916, declared "Fit for Duty". Private Barber was transferred to the Canadian Reserve Cavalry Regiment on March 6, 1917 and proceeded overseas with the Canadian Light Horse for service in the French theatre on April 19, 1917. He arrived in France on the 21st, left for his unit on the 22nd and joined them on the 24th. He is documented as having been at Corps Headquarters, attending the Camp Commander, from May 4 to 13, 1917. Barber was appointed Lance Corporal on February 14, 1918, promoted to Corporal on August 28, 1918 and to Lance Sergeant on February 3, 1919.

His past marriage to Emily Barber was approved on March 21, 1919. He was placed on command at the 1st Canadian Discharge Depot at Buxton on May 30, 1919, then posted to Kinmel Park for return to Canada. He embarked for Canada aboard the RMS Odesna on July 31, 1919, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia on August 8th. He had served overseas as a Sergeant with the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and as a Trooper with the 10th Canadian Mounted Rifle Battalion. Lance Sergeant William James Barber was discharged upon demobilization at the Clearing Services Command in Halifax, on August 15, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and in France with the Canadian Light Horse, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 394897. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. William James Barber died on May 11, 1930 in Windsor, Ontario from Chronic Nephritis and was buried in Windsor Grove Cemetery, Windsor, Plot: C.207.5. As his death was attributed to his war service, his widow, Mrs. Emily Barber of Windsor received his Memorial Plaque and Scroll. Two Memorial Crosses were also issued in August 1930, one to his widow, Emily Barber and the other to his mother, Isabelle Barber.