Name
James George Barry
Conflict
Second World War
Date of Death / Age
28/09/1945
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Constable
372
Palestine Police Force
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY
Q. 22.
Israel and Palestine (including Gaza)
Headstone Inscription
SACRED HEART OF JESUS HAVE MERCY OF HIS SOUL REQUIESCAT IN PACE.
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Biography
He was educated at St. Michael's College, Hitchin and later worked at the Chater-Lee Works in Letchworth. He joined the Home Guard and was also a keen cyclist with the Nomads. In November 1943 he volunteered to join the Palestine Police on a three year contract.
On 12th February 1945 Lord Gort, the High Commissioner of Palestine, was photographed talking to James during an inspection of the Palestine Police in Tel Aviv.
On the 28 September 1945 he was escorting the Postmaster from the bank to the Central Post Office in Tel Aviv when terrorists attacked and shot him dead. The Postmaster escaped with the £4,000 that he was carrying. James had written home to say that he was being transferred to escort duties that were very dangerous.
His Service Number was 372 and he was buried in Row Q, Grave 22 in the Ramleh War Cemetery in Israel. His memorial stone reads "In memory of James George Barry No. 372 British Constable the Palestine Police aged 26 years killed in the gallant execution of duty on 28.9.1945. Sacred heart of Jesus have mercy on his soul. Requescat in peace".
He was the son of Mr & Mrs J. P. Barry of 34, King's Road, Hitchin.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines – ‘Hitchin’s Century of Sacrifice’, Mr K. C. L. Barry - his brother, Herts Express circa October 1945
