Private Douglas Barrett-Lennard
- Rank
- Private
- Appointment
- Driver
- Service number
- 1879
- Unit
- 8 Battery 3 Brigade Australian Field Artillery
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action
- Place of death
- Gallipoli, Turkey
- Date of death
- 17 July 1915
- Age
- 21
- Plaque number
- M285A
- Co-located plaques
- M285 - CPL Frank Buchanan
- Dedicated by
- Niece on 14 December 2024
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
Douglas Barrett-Lennard was born 27 May 1894 at St Leonard’s near Guildford, Western Australia. His parents George Barrett-Lennard and Amy Brockman were married in 1886 at Upper Swan. There were eight children from the marriage.
Douglas attended Guildford Grammar School where he joined the school cadets. On leaving school he worked as a farmhand.
Enlisting into the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) in September 1914, he was attached to 3 Field Artillery Brigade with the rank of driver. In October 1914, Douglas embarked from Fremantle for Alexandria Egypt.
Arriving in Egypt, he was assigned to 8 Battery of 3 Field Artillery Brigade where he spent his time training in preparation for the Gallipoli campaign.
In April 1915, Douglas landed with his battery on the beaches of Gallipoli on the second day of the assault. However, unsuitable grounds prevented the battery setting up its field guns. Douglas with his battery returned to the Gallipoli beach in May 1915.
In a letter Douglas wrote to his mother, he gave details that he was exhausted and fatigued as they had been in action for ten straight days, under constant shellfire and suffering from heavy casualties.
On 17 July 1915, the battery relocated to participate in a large artillery bombardment. Late in the afternoon Douglas was manning his gun when a high explosive shell struck the shield of the gun and blew away its crew.
Douglas was severely wounded and it is recorded that he insisted the other men to be treated before him stating,
'I am alright – I’m done, but, by God, you see, I’m dying hard.' [1]
He succumbed to his wounds shortly after.
Driver Douglas Barrett-Lennard service number 1879 of 8 Battery of 3 Australian Field Artillery Brigade was killed in action on 17 July 1915 at Gallipoli. He was 21 years of age.
His commanding officer wrote to his parents telling them of his bravery, courage and popularity with his fellow soldiers and commanding officers alike.
Douglas is buried at Shell Green Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey and is remembered with honour.
His plaque is placed alongside that of Corporal Frank Buchanan from the same unit.
[1]Official History of Australia in the War of 1914-18. Vol II The Story of ANZAC. CEW Bean. Pg 344