Michael McBarren (true name Michael Lomesney)

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Wed, 23/09/2015 - 14:12

First Name:

Michael

Last Name:

McBarren

Mother's Name:

Ellen Lomesney

Father's Name:

James Lomesney

Date Enlisted:

Thursday, April 6, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

13th Battalion

Company:

B Company

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Wednesday, November 20, 1918

Place of Death:

Poland

Cause of Death:

Influenza

Details:

Michael McBarren was born in Cork Ireland about 1882. When he enlisted at Kiama he was a single 34 year old miner from Coledale. Letters on his file from his mother indicate his real name to be Michael Lomesney. There is no indication as to why he enlisted under another name. He embarked on HMAT A14 Euripides with 20th Reinforcements, 13th Battalion on 9th September 1916. After arriving in England on 26th October 1916 he was sent to France on 22nd December 1916.

On 11th April 1917 Michael was engaged in the battle for Bullecourt and was taken prisoner by the Germans at the village of Reincourt. He was taken to Limberg Prisoner of War camp and then later transferred to Schneidemuhl camp. He was still interred there when the war ended. Unfortunately he caught influenza (Spanish Grip/Grippe) and died there on 20th November 1918. Michael is buried in Poesen Old Garrison Cemetery Plot I, Row C, Grave 7 Poland.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, MCBARREN M