S6105
BARBER, Albert Leslie
| Service Number: | 6973 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Bookabie, South Australia, 27 August 1895 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Boundary Rider |
| Died: | Quorn, South Australia, 17 March 1975, aged 79 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Quorn Cemetery, SA New Section 187B |
| Memorials: | Quorn District Roll of Honor WW1 Board, Quorn Roll of Honor |
World War 1 Service
| 16 Dec 1916: | Involvement Private, 6973, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 16 Dec 1916: | Embarked Private, 6973, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Berrima, Adelaide |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Trevor Pyatt
Biography of Albert Leslie Barber (1895–1975)
Early Life
Albert Leslie Barber was born on 27 August 1895 at Bookabie, near Fowlers Bay, South Australia. He was the son of Michael John Shillaber Barber and Mary Lang. Raised in the far west of the state and later in the Flinders Ranges town of Quorn, Albert worked as a labourer before enlisting. He was described as 5 ft 6½ in tall, weighing 149 lbs, with a dark complexion, dark hair, and blue eyes. His religion was Methodist.
World War I Service
Enlistment
On 14 October 1916, Albert enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) at Adelaide. He was posted to the 10th Battalion, 23rd Reinforcements, and allotted the regimental number 6973. His mother, Mrs Mary Barber of Quorn, was listed as his next of kin.
Embarkation & Voyage
Albert embarked from Outer Harbor, Adelaide, on 16 December 1916 aboard HMAT A35 Berrima. He disembarked at Devonport, England, on 16 February 1917 and was marched into the 3rd Training Battalion at Durrington.
Shortly after arrival, he was admitted to Tidworth Military Hospital on 15 March 1917, suffering from suspected cerebrospinal meningitis. He recovered and was discharged back to training by mid-April.
Western Front Service
On 23 July 1917, Albert proceeded overseas to France via Southampton, arriving at Havre on 24 July 1917. By 8 August 1917, he was taken on strength of the 10th Battalion AIF in the field.
Wounded in Action – Ypres
Albert's war was cut short only weeks later. On 20–21 September 1917, during the Battle of Ypres in Belgium, he was wounded in action. His injuries were severe:
Gunshot and shell wounds to the right forearm, arm, leg, and face
A through-and-through wound of the right forearm, involving the ulnar nerve and leaving lasting paralysis and muscle weakness.
He was evacuated from the front line via the 6th Field Ambulance and admitted to the 10th Casualty Clearing Station on 21 September 1917.
On 22 September, he was transferred to the 33rd Ambulance Train, then to the 53rd General Hospital, Boulogne, before being moved to England.
Hospitalisation in England
Albert spent many months in hospital:
2nd Southern General Hospital, Bristol – admitted 1 October 1917, suffering "gunshot wound right arm, face, severe."
Princess Elizabeth Hospital and later 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital (Dartford) – ongoing treatment through late 1917.
Medical Board at Dartford (31 December 1917): recorded "Shell wound right forearm – through and through wound involving ulnar nerve. Severe permanent disability."
Transferred to Weymouth & No. 2 Command Depot (January 1918): assessed as medically unfit for further service.
The reports consistently noted:
Permanent nerve paralysis of the right arm
Marked impairment of grip and function
Fit only for return to Australia
Return to Australia
Albert embarked for home aboard the HT Borda on 5 April 1918, leaving Plymouth. He disembarked in Melbourne on 30 May 1918 and was admitted to Keswick Military Hospital, Adelaide, where his condition was reviewed.
On 19 August 1918, he was formally discharged, the reason given:
"Medically unfit (not due to misconduct)."
His total service was 1 year and 310 days, including 1 year and 166 days abroad.
Medals & Entitlement
Albert was awarded:
British War Medal (issued 20 September 1922 at Iron Knob, SA)
Victory Medal (issued 20 September 1922)
His service record also records the 1914/15 Star recognition, though as he enlisted in late 1916 he did not qualify for that medal itself.
Marriage & Family Life
After returning to Quorn, Albert resumed civilian life despite the limitations caused by his war wounds.
On 13 July 1927, at the Quorn Methodist Church, he married Edith Croft Parker (née Croft), daughter of Elias Croft and Maria Timms, and widow of Arthur John Parker.
They raised their family in Quorn, including daughter Mary Edith Myra Barber (1928–2014), who later married Stanley Keith "Ginger" Pearce.
Albert and Edith lived for many years at 35 Centre Street, Quorn West, where they were respected community members.
Later Years & Death
Despite his disability, Albert lived a long life. He passed away on 17 March 1975, aged 79, at the Quorn and District Hospital. He was buried on 20 March 1975 in the Quorn Town Cemetery.
His wife Edith survived him until 17 October 1979, when she too was buried beside him.
Legacy
Albert Leslie Barber is remembered as one of Quorn's wounded Anzacs. His name is honoured on the Quorn District Honour Roll and the WWI Board. His story reflects the sacrifice of a young South Australian who left home, fought in France, suffered grievous wounds at Ypres, yet returned to build a family and life in Quorn.
Sources
National Archives of Australia, Service Record: B2455, Barber A. L.
Australian War Memorial, Embarkation Rolls, 10th Battalion.
South Australian BDM Indexes: Birth (1895, Bookabie), Marriage (1927, Quorn), Death (1975, Quorn).
Quorn Cemetery Burial Register, Flinders Ranges Council.
Family memorial inscriptions, Quorn Town Cemetery.
Biography by Trevor Pyatt 29/08/2025