The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Barry
First Name:
James Joseph
Nick Name:
Jimmy
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX8185
Classification:
Section Orderly
Company:
'B' Company, 7 Platoon
Enlisted:
16.08.1940
Discharged:
13.02.1946
Place of Birth:
Fremantle, Western Australia
Father's Name:
Dennis Edward Barry
Mothers's Name:
Jessie Barry
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Pre-war Occupation:
Farmhand and Chaff Cutter
Singapore:
Selarang Camp Changi, Serangoon Road Camp, Selarang Barracks Changi. Following return from Thailand - Selerang Barracks Changi, X10 Party, Changi Gaol Camp.
Force:
'H Force Thailand, 'H' Force Group No. 3.
Return Details 1945:
Not Known.

General Description

Barry enlisted with AIF 16 Aug 1940 and later joined ‘B’ Coy 7th Platoon under CO Penrod Dean as section Orderly.
As a POW, he was selected to work on Burma -Thai Railway with ‘H’ Force which departed by train from Singapore May 1943.

Please read further about ‘H’ Force

Returning to Singapore he worked in Singapore 1945 with X10 Party.

 

 

 

His mother Jessie Beacham was born at Jim Jam, Ravenswood in 1974, the daughter of James Joseph Beacham and Elizabeth Thorpe.  Jessie married 14 May 1898 Pinjarra to Denis Edward Barry who was b. Bunbury 1866.  Michael Barry was father to Denis, came to WA from Ireland farming at Serpentine for more than three decades.  He died in 1914.
Jessie and Denis had a large family of nine children.  James was the 8th born.
In 1937 Electoral Roll Jimmy was recorded residing Northam working as a labourer, residing with his mother.
His father Denis died 1935 and was buried at Northam, and his mother Jessie died in 1957 Perth.

 

James married 1939 to Helen Maud Salt.  Helen Barry enlisted RAAF, her Service No. 103446.
James and Helen’s eldest son was b. 1946 Port Pirie.  Their family grew to include Jean, Michael, Lorraine and Margaret.
Jimmy Barry was living at Port Pirie, South Australia when he died 28 May 1968.  He was buried at Port Pirie.  Helen died 2007.

 

Camp Locations:

  • Changi Gaol Camp - Singapore
  • Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
  • Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
  • Serangoon Road Camp - Singapore
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