Memorials : Inverclyde's Great War

Son of David and Catherine Barr, 47 Crawford Street, Glebe, Greenock. Grandson of Janet Stewart. He had a twin sister called Marion, two other sisters and six brothers. Donald attended Glebe public school.

Honours

Donald was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Croix de Geurre (France) for his gallant and distinguished service on the field. When his officers became causalities Donald took command of the company, achieved all of the companies objectives and with a disregard for his own safety set a fine example to his men. He proved himself to be a strong, skilful and determined leader. Captain G.R. Thomson wrote to Donald’s mother after his death saying “He was one of the finest soldiers I have come across, cool reliable and absolutely without fear. The D.C.M and Croix de Guerre … were only part of the honours that he deserved”.

He joined the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders on February 17th 1913 and was called to mobilise on August 5th 1914.

Donald served with the Expeditionary Force in Egypt, Gallipoli and Palestine and thereafter in France and Flanders. He died at the 1st Eastern General Hospital Cambridge on November 3rd 1918 from wounds received in action on the front of Ypres on October 14th. Donald had written home the week before he was injured from “some where, any where” thanking his mother for the socks she had sent him as the weather had began to turn cold and he “was in the need for them”. Donald was buried in Greenock Cemetery. He is remembered at Gaelic United Free Church.