Barnet's Story.
Barnet Williamson is named on the Acton Bridge Baptist Church Memorial, which brings Barnett into St. Mary’s Parish.
Margaret Nixon gives guidance with Barnet Williamson. He, with his family emigrated to Canada prior to the war. Margaret’s booklet on the Baptist Church shows his mother, Hannah Williamson, nee Swinton on page 22 with her sister Mary Longshaw. It is likely that this family connection will have put Barnet Williamson’s name forward to the church memorial.
C.W.G.C. remember Barnet at the Saultain Communal Cemetery, France. His Service no was 1250518, a Driver with the 4th Bn. Canadian Field Artillery, died 4th Nov. 1918 aged 28, son of Robert and Hannah Williamson of Cumberland, British Columbia, born at Crowton, Cheshire.
Mr. Adam Robinson, Supervisor, Cumberland Branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library replied to my enquiry about Barnet Williamson with a very interesting letter, with articles about Barnet, including a uniformed photograph and his Attestation Paper’s. “Barnet enlisted at Regina, Sask on the 2nd of June 1916. His address is given as Box 512, Indian Head, his trade/calling was Farmer, next of kin is his mother Mrs. Robert Williamson at Box 358 Cumberland B.C. Barnet was born 15th Dec. 1891 Crowton, Cheshire, England. He was 25 years 5 months,
Judy Hagan in her “Hunt for History” went onto say; “Robert and Hannah Williamson, farmers in Crowton, (It is understood that they farmed at Ivy House Farm Crowton.) Northwich, Cheshire, England had 16 children: 13 boys and 3 girls. In 1901 two sons Joseph and Tom left England arriving first in Ontario but eventually settling in Indian Head, Saskatchewa. Barnet and his elder brother John arrived in Canada on 8th August 1907, travelling “steerage” on S.S. Victoria. The following year, John and Hannah arrived with the rest of the family: Samuel, Lionel, Mary, Harry, the twins Edward and Alfred, Hannah and Ellie.”
“Barnet, (known as Barney) was 24 years old when he signed up. His attestation paper states he was 5ft 4ins tall, weighed 125lbs and had blue eyes, light hair and a fair complexion.”
Ruth Masters in her “Lest we Forget” which is a montage of information on Barnet Williamson says...”Barnet enlisted with the Canadian Field Artillery at Regna, Sask. He embarked for Britain on the 15th August 1916, proceeding to France on the 5th January 1917 and was posted to the 4th Brigade Canadian Field Artillery on the 13th May 1917 where he was assigned as a “driver”; which meant driving horses, a job he must have liked. Barnet was killed on the 4th November 1918.”
Judy Hagon then went onto say....”In 1918 communication for “the Front” was slow. The Williamson family who lived on Fraser Road had sent two sons to France; James (James had also enlisted) and Barnet. It would be two months after the cease fire before they learnt that Barnet had died on the 4th November only a week before armistice.”
With the letter from Canada was a letter from an Anthony Edward Williamson who was still living in the area. His grandfather was one of the twins of Robert and Hannah Williamson making Barnet Williamson his grand uncle.
Private Williamson was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.
Research Bob Heaton
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