Barney Powell

BARNEY POWELL
Barney Powell Reg. No. 2702 was born in Launceston Tasmania. His address in Adelaide was, c/o 91 Flinders Street Adelaide. He was the son of Louisa Powell of Melbourne and Thomas Powell of Tasmania. Barney left home at an early age and lost touch with his mother and father. On enlistment in Adelaide, his next of kin was stated as his brother, Sydney Powell of Melbourne. He was 27 when he enlisted in the 5th reinforcement of the 32nd Infantry Battalion, on the 28th of January 1916. HMAT Shropshire left Adelaide on 25th of March 1916, and arrived in Plymouth, England on 16th August 1916. One month later Barney was in France. On 7th June 1917, he was detached from his regiment and sent to sniping school. He then returned to the western front. According to Red Cross records he was lying on the ground studying a map, when a high explosive shell landed next to him. He died instantly. When his brother, (next of kin) could not be found, his mother claimed his personal effects and his estate. No personal effects were returned, and no burial place was listed. His sacrifice is recorded on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

Sources
https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1056192--1-.pdf
https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1056192--1-.pdf
http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/...
https://www.awm.gov.au/images/collection/pdf/RCDIG1056192--1-.pdf