Charles Barber

Captain Barber surprising a Turkish sentry in a hostile listening tunnel, 1916.

Brigadier Charles Stanley Barber, (6 July 1888 – 4 October 1965) was an Australian Army officer. He served in the Australian Imperial Force during the First World War, rising to the rank of captain and being awarded the Military Cross. He served in the Citizens Military Force between the wars, and in the Second World War rose to the rank of brigadier.

Early life and career Barber was born in Kew, Melbourne, the son of Charles Deynes Barber and Margaret Anne (Maggie) McLean. He was appointed a second lieutenant in the 3rd Field Company Engineers. On 22 September 1914 he embarked from Melbourne for Alexandria with the 3rd Field Company. until embarking for Gallipoli from Alexandria on 5 April 1915.

Barber arrived at Anzac Cove about 10:30a.m. on 25 April 1915, about five hours after the first troops landed to attack Turkish positions. On 27 July he transferred to 4th Field Company Engineers and was promoted to captain.

On 29 January 1916 Barber was awarded the Military Cross.

On 31 January 1916 he transferred to hospital with enteric fever, and spent some time in Alexandria, where he was joined by his mother and his sister who helped with his nursing. and was discharged from the AIF on 30 July. They lived in Armadale, Melbourne, In 1926 he was appointed to command the 2nd Artillery Survey Company. On 24 June 1940 he was promoted to colonel in command of the 4th Infantry Brigade. On 5 July 1941 he was promoted to brigadier. In November 1941 he commenced full-time duty with 4th Infantry Brigade at Bonegilla. In March 1942 he moved the 4th Infantry Brigade to Warwick, Queensland and, in May, to Brisbane where he was joined by his wife.

In October 1942 Barber volunteered for service with the Second Australian Imperial Force (a legal requirement before service overseas), and in February 1943 he was transferred to 4th Brigade headquarters in Port Moresby, New Guinea while the Brigade was sent to Milne Bay. In July 1943 he was transferred to the headquarters of the 3rd Division.

On 19 August 1943, for medical reasons, Barber relinquished command of the 4th Brigade and returned to Melbourne, seconded to the Citizens Military Force. In September 1943 he left service with the honorary rank of brigadier.

Post-war Barber lived at 60 Close St, South Yarra, Melbourne until about 1960, then moved to Terrara Rd, Mitcham, Melbourne. Barber died from a heart attack while driving on 4 October 1965, and was cremated.