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Cenotaph record

Donald John Barr

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    Donald John AWMM
  • Surname
    Barr AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    16707 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    15 September 1917 AWMM Christchurch, New Zealand AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    WW2 Pre 1941 AWMM C/o Te Ngutu Cheese Factory, Okaiawa AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    WW2 Mrs. C.M. Barr, Thomson Rd., Prebbleton, Christchurch (m) AWMM
  • Relationship status

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
    World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
  • Campaign
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    16707 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      21 June 1945 AWMM
      'Throughout his service this soldier constantly displayed resolute devotion to duty under all conditions. During the severe fighting around POINT 175 and SIDI REZEGH, Libya, in 1941 Driver Barr did not falter in spite of repeated heavy shell-fire, finally bringing his vehicle out safely after a fortnight in the battle area. As an ambulance driver for the greater part of 1942 he performed sterling work, notably during the breakout from Mingar Qaim, when he brought a load of patients through intense fire of all types although his ambulance vehicle was extensively damaged. During the long weeks at the El Alamein Line his initiative and sense of duty often prompted him to venture out under actual shelling and bombing in order to bring aid to the wounded when ambulance cars were most urgently needed. Driver Barr also spent a lengthy period in Italy in forward positions often working by night in places where none but fighting vehicles normally ventured. His work was always of a very high order and whatever duties were assigned to him he carried out in a most reliable manner, thus setting a fine example to his fellow-soldiers.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Barr, Donald John. (Ref. WO 373/12/569). Military Medal. AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Embarkations

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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Death

About death

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  • Death
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
    • 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 21 June 1945, p.3226.). Military Medal.
      http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37138/supplements/3226
      Further Reference
    • 'Throughout his service this soldier constantly displayed resolute devotion to duty under all conditions. During the severe fighting around POINT 175 and SIDI REZEGH, Libya, in 1941 Driver Barr did not falter in spite of repeated heavy shell-fire, finally bringing his vehicle out safely after a fortnight in the battle area. As an ambulance driver for the greater part of 1942 he performed sterling work, notably during the breakout from Mingar Qaim, when he brought a load of patients through intense fire of all types although his ambulance vehicle was extensively damaged. During the long weeks at the El Alamein Line his initiative and sense of duty often prompted him to venture out under actual shelling and bombing in order to bring aid to the wounded when ambulance cars were most urgently needed. Driver Barr also spent a lengthy period in Italy in forward positions often working by night in places where none but fighting vehicles normally ventured. His work was always of a very high order and whatever duties were assigned to him he carried out in a most reliable manner, thus setting a fine example to his fellow-soldiers.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Barr, Donald John. (Ref. WO 373/12/569). Military Medal.
      http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7354645
      Further Reference
  • References
    • Sutherland, J. (1989). Gallantry awards to New Zealanders in World War Two. Christchurch, N.Z.: Regal Medals. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 4 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1941 to 30 June, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      WW2 4: WW2 23 AWMM
    • New Zealand Gazette AWMM
      MM. New Zealand Gazette, 21 June 1944, p. 3226 AWMM

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