Mr. Alonzo Barry

Dear Mr. Lane,

I am writing in response to the Nov 1, 2001 newsletter re: Those who
Remember. Our children, David Barry Grade 5 (Ms. McDonald) and Susan
Barry Grade 2 (Ms. Mackey) are grandchildren of a WW2 veteran who is
still living.

Mr. Barry is on the first page (centre) first row of pictures. He is
in the front of the picture wearing royal blue coat, glasses, white
shirt.

Mr. Alonzo Barry is 83 years old and in good health. I would like to tell you about him in the event
that any of this is of value as you build this very interesting, worthwhile web site.
"Poppy Barry" was 22 years old when he joined the 59th Royal
Artillery. His group of young men sailed out of St. John's harbour on
June 29, 1940 and joined a convoy of ships in Halifax going to England.
After 18 days at sea, they docked at Sussex. They spent 4 years in
England in Cantebury, Peas March, Ashford and Sussex. There, they did
basic training exercises and were always on alert for any air or ground
attack. When France was invaded, the army moved there, and then to
Belgium, Holland and Germany.

When being interviewed for this project about his years at war, he
was reluctant to tell us a lot of detail about the battlefield. However,
when David and Susan asked him if he ever came close to getting hurt, he
replied that he was very close and that he had watched many of his
friends get fatally hurt by landmines, aircraft fire or shells. He told
the children about the 2 weapons he used. One was a 303 rifle and the
other a 155 mm gun that had a range of 22 miles.

David asked if ever had to jump out of a plane and he replied that he
did in training with a parachute and landed in a field.
His group was in Germany when they learned that the war was over.They
returned to Nfld in August 1945. Within a short time, he enrolled in
vocational school and completed a 6 month program in plumbing and
heating, a career he enjoyed for the next 32 years. He got married and
raised 4 children. In 2000, he celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary.
His wish for his 5 precious grandchildren is that they never experience
war.


His picture was the 1st one we saw as we opened the webpage.
If you need pictures, he has some that he would be glad to have placed
on the website. Would you like more info??

Irene Barry