Friends of the Somme - Mid Ulster Branch  
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14589   Private William John Barrett
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 30/12/2020
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 9th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 27/11/1892
Died: 13/08/1917 (Died of Wounds)
Age: 24
Summary      
William John Barrett was the son of John and Elizabeth Barrett. William was born on 27th November 1892. He was one of nine children, all born in the Fivemiletown area. The 1901 census records William as 8 years old, living with the family at Aghinlark, Cole, Tyrone. John’s father was a labourer. By the 1911 census William was 18 and single. He had left home and was working as a servant for the Cowan family at Mullaghmore, Fivemiletown, Tyrone. Private William John Barrett was serving with the 9th battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of wounds on 13th August 1917.
Further Information
William John Barrett was the son of John and Elizabeth Barrett. John Barnett and Lizzie Douglas were married on 19th March 1885 in the district of Dungannon.
William John Barrett was born on 27th November 1892. He was one of nine children, all born in the Fivemiletown area.
The 1901 census records William as 8 years old, living with the family at Aghinlark, Cole, Tyrone. John’s father was a labourer.
Family: John Barrett, Lizzie Barrett, George Robert Barrett (born 8th January 1886), Catherine Barrett (born 25th May 1888), Lucinda Lucy Barrett (born 9th July 1890), William John Barrett (born 27th November 1892), James Barrett (born 29th March 1895), Mary Marianne Barrett (born 25th July 1897), Margaret Beatrice Barrett (born 4th February 1900), Lizzie Barrett (born 5th June 1903), Winifred Barrett (born 8th October 1905).
By the 1911 census William was 18 and single. He had left home and was working as a servant for the Cowan family at Mullaghmore, Fivemiletown, Tyrone.
William John Barrett was living in Fivemiletown when he enlisted in Finner Camp, County Donegal.
Medal card
Private William John Barrett was serving with the 9th Battalion of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he died of wounds on 13th August 1917.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 30th August 1917:
Private John Barrett, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed, was a son of Mr John Barrett, Augentaine, Fivemiletown.
From the Belfast Newsletter dated 21st September 1917:
Private W J Barrett, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, died of wounds, was a son of Mr John Barrett, Aghindarragh, Fivemiletown
Last Will and Testament of Private William John Barrett dated 22nd July 1916
In the event of my death, I shall leave all my property and affects to my father, John Bennett, Aughindarra, Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone, Ireland. Private William Barrett. July 22, 1916
Private William John Barrett is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinghe, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
The CWGC record Private William John Barrett as the son of John and Elizabeth Barrett of Aghindarragh, Fivemiletown, County Tyrone.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Aghindarragh Fivemiletown Will lists father in Aghindarragh 54.39705 -7.307725
2 Mullaghmore Fivemiletown Census listing in Mullaghmore 54.388954 -7.251663
3 Aghinlark, Cole Fivemiletown Census listing in Aghinlark, Cole 54.396151 -7.286797
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
19/03/1885 M Douglas Lizzie Parent M/1885/T1/1438/2/3
19/03/1885 M Barnett John Parent M/1885/T1/1438/2/3
08/01/1886 B Barnett Robert Sibling U/1886/107/1026/9/21 Barett
25/05/1888 B Barnett Catherine Sibling U/1888/111/1026/7/126
09/07/1890 B Barnett Lucinda Sibling U/1890/111/1026/7/297 Barett, Douglass
27/11/1892 B Barnett William Casualty U/1892/111/1026/7/470
19/03/1895 B Barnett James Sibling U/1895/111/1026/8/145
25/07/1897 B Barnett Mary Sibling U/1897/111/1026/8/343 Barett
04/02/1900 B Barnett Beatrice Sibling U/1900/111/1026/9/18
05/06/1903 B Barnett Lizzie Sibling U/1903/111/1026/9/218
08/10/1905 B Barnett Winifred Sibling U/1905/111/1026/9/379
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Barrett family Lists William John as age 8 at house 6 in Aghinlark, Cole, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Barrett family Does not list William John as living with the family at house 6 in Aghindarragh West, Cole, Tyrone
3 1911 Census lists W J Barrett Lists William John as age 18 at house 1 in Mullaghmore, Fivemiletown, Tyrone
4 National Archives of Ireland Last Will and Testament of William John Barrett
5 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
6 War Graves Photographic Project Photo of Private William John Barrett's gravestone can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023