The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Barr
- First Name:
- Robert Shipley
- Nick Name:
- Bob
- Rank:
- Private
- Regimental #:
- WX7611
- Company:
- ‘D' Company
- Enlisted:
- 10.08.1940
- DOB:
- 13.05.1918
- Place of Birth:
- Perth, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- James Barr
- Mothers's Name:
- Hannah Barr (nee Shipley)
- Religion:
- Presbyterian
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Labourer
- Memorial:
- Kranji War Cemetery
- Singapore:
- Special Memorial ‘C‘, Plot 4, Row D, Grave 20, Age 23
- Cause of Death:
- Possibly Executed
- Place of Death:
- Not known
- Date of Death:
- 15.02.1942
General Description
Bob had been with the 10th Light Horse Militia prior to enlisting with AIF Aug 1940 and later joined 2/4th’s ‘D’ Company. The Battalion travelled to and trained at Woodside SA and Darwin before being called up to fight in Singapore with Australia’s 8th Division.
Bob was sent with No. 14 Platoon, located on the West coast of Singapore to await the intended invasion by Japan. Under constant fire starting on 8 Feb, the Japanese invaded Singapore in continuing waves, until completely overrunning the Allied Forces.
There were no eyewitnesses to what happened to Bob. There was terrible chaos throughout Singapore in the days 8-15 Feb.
Unconfirmed reports stated that soldier was admitted to hospital and then discharged to unit on 15.2.1942. It is believed soldier was travelling in an ambulance when captured by the Japanese. No other details are known.
Capt. G W Gwynne, ‘Don’ Coy was of the opinion Bob Barr was executed by the Japanese. Bob was 23 years of age.
Bob’s parents James Barr (b York) and Hannah Shipley (b. England married 1915. It is believed the Barr families farmed in the Quirading district.
Bob was one of three sons and one daughter.
Below is an obituary for James Barr (Snr) 1936 – Grandfather of Bob
A happy family event when Bob’ sister
Edith married
Bob was in Quairading from leave at Northam with Godfrey and McLennan from 2/4th.
Sometime around 1940 Hannah and James Barr left Quairading to live in South Fremantle. James died in 1948 and Hannah about 1973.
Bob Barr’s name is included on the WW2 Memorial at Quairading.
