Remembering Charles Abner Barss—Died of Sickness August 25, 1918

Charles Abner Barss was born at New Harbour, Guysborough County, on April 11, 1897, the third of David Abner and Mary Caroline (Horton) Barss’ seven children. While Charles worked as a fisherman alongside his father, he reached his twenty-first birthday shortly after the military conscription plan introduced under the terms of the Military Service Act (1917) came into full effect.

Private Charles Abner Barss

Despite suffering from chronic asthma, Charles completed the required medical examination at Camp Aldershot, NS, on May 30 and was placed in “Class A2”—requiring only military training before deemed fit for front line duty. Two days later, he formally attested for overseas service with the 1st Depot Battalion, Nova Scotia Regiment.

Other than a case of measles in late June, Charles completed his basic training without any health issues. On August 2, he departed Halifax for England aboard SS Ixion in the company of a large contingent of conscripts. During the voyage, the cramped conditions below deck contributed to an outbreak of influenza and pneumonia among the passengers. When the vessel docked at Liverpool on August 15, a total of 22 soldiers were immediately rushed to local hospitals for treatment.

Charles was among the sick and was admitted to Texteth Park Auxiliary Hospital with pneumonia. Medical records describe his circumstances at the time as “dangerously ill” and “in a terribly neglected condition.” While staff administered a variety of treatments, his asthma significantly affected his circumstances and Charles failed to recover. Private Charles Abner Barss passed away at 12:55 p.m. Sunday, August 25, 1918.

Before day’s end, a second Nova Scotian soldier, Private Warren Lester Godfried (3188193), also succumbed to pneumonia. Three days later, officials conducted military funerals for the young men and laid their remains to rest in Kirkdale Cemetery, Longmoor Lane, Liverpool, England, five miles from the hospital where they passed away. Private Charles Barss was the first Guysborough County “conscript” to die overseas.

Charles' story is one of 64 profiles contained in Bantry Publishing’s First World War Honour Roll of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, Volume II: 1918 - 1937, available for purchase online at bantrypublishing.ca .