William John Barter

Story:
William John Barter was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire on 3rd October 1876 and baptised there on 29 Oct 1876 the son of Ebenezer Barter and Bessie Ann Barter (née Down).  He lived with his parents most of his early life at the Grove Inn, Ludwell, where his father was the licensee.  He received some of his education at Shaftesbury Grammar School, Shaftesbury, Dorset.   He married Lucy Gladys Trowbridge at St. Stephen's Church, South Dulwich, London, on 23rd April 1914 and they went on to have one child.  William was living at 15 Colby Road, Upper Norwood, London, S.E. 19 when he was enlisted on 3rd August 1916 and joined the Army Service Corps 2/1st Kent Cyclist Battalion (Service No. 2644).  His unit eventually came under the command of the Royal West Kent Regiment (New Service No. 266568).  He served in the UK only and was eventually discharged on 19th February 1919.  There are no medal records for his service though he may have been entitled to the Victory and British War Medals.  The 1921 Census shows him back living at 15 Colby Road, Upper Norwood, working as a Clerk for the Ministry of Labour.  By the 1939 Register he had moved to 92 High Street, Sheppey, Kent, and was described as a Tobacconist and Confectioner.  He died in Sheppey, Kent, during 1945.