JAMES BARLOW 

James Barlow was born  in Tranmere, Birkenhead, in 1899, the son of James Barlow. His father had  been born in Tranmere, in 1867, and had 5 children to his first marriage: William Barlow (born in 1894); George Barlow (born in 1897); James Barlow (born in 1899); and Elizabeth Jessie Barlow (born in 1896).  In 1906, he married Clara Beatrice Barlow.  who was born in 1868, in Highoffley, Staffordshire. The couple had 3 children, but 1 died: Mary Elizabeth Chisholm (born in 1895) (to a previous relationship); Annie Louis Barlow (born in 1907); and Jane Barlow (born in 1910). In 1911 they were living at 20, Tower Hill, Tranmere, Birkenhead, and James Barlow (Snr) was employed as a Corporation Engineman in a waterworks. His eldest son, William, was employed as Corporation Labourer at the waterworks.; George was a Labourer in a Brewery; and Mary Elizabeth Barlow was a Domestic Servant. James Barlow (Jnr) was educated at Mersey Park Coucil School, Tranmere , and was later employed by Mr J. Merritt (Builder) (the Mayor of Birkenhead in 1916). In his spare time, he attended Stuart Road Mission Sunday School – the same Sunday School as Private Arthur Herbert Proctor VC.

 

In 1914, James Barlow enlisted into the 9th Bn Royal Sussex Regiment (his application form to have his name commemorated on the Birkenhead war memorial states 7th Bn) (No.G/9425) at Liverpool, but did not actually go to France until anytime after 1st January 1916. He continued to serve with this battalion until he was killed in action near Wulvergem, Belgium, on 16th July 1916 (his war memorial application form incorrectly states his date of death as being 3rd July 1916).


Private Barlow was buried in Plot 1, Row A, Grave 12, St. Quentin Cabaret Military Cemetery, Wulvergem, Belgium.

 

His medal entitlement consisted of Memorial Plaque, British War Medal, and Victory Medal.

 James Barlow is also commemorated on The Mersey Park Council School war memorial, which is still proudly displayed inside a hall in the same school.



Family application form requesting James to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.



Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.