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Australia

William (Fin) was born at Naracoorte in the South East of SA on the 6th December 1918 to George Burcher and Elizabeth Mary Barnett. He was the fourth of six boys with brothers John, Robert, Charles David, Alan Mudie and Peter. Finlay and his brothers were third generation Barnetts to live at Reedy Creek, where his grandfather had purchased a property named Nettlina where successive generations undertook sheep grazing. Finlay’s father, George served in the Bushman’s Unit in the Boer War. He was also active in local politics on the Lacepede District Council as well as being particularly involved in his local Kingston Methodist Church. There he was both a Circuit and local Church Steward as well as being a trustee. Partly due to being a landowner, George was also a long term committee member of the Kingston Agricultural and Horticultural Society. His service to the community was a strong component of his boys’ culture.
Finlay grew up in Reedy Creek and attending the local school where he proved to be a talented student, winning quaint prizes for aspects of his schoolwork, including the ‘best lead pencil writing’ at the Kingston Agricultural Festival in ’25. The following year he gained the second highest marks in his grade and a prize for his most original end of year costume, as ‘chocolate’. Older brother Charles scooped the award for ‘gentlemanly conduct’, perhaps due in part to his mother having been a schoolteacher prior to her marriage. By ’31 Finlay had won a prophetic prize as an Indian Brave as well as an attendance prize with his brother, Alan. Fin’s ‘green fingers’ also saw him awarded first prize for his garden. His mother’s enthusiasm also influenced Finlay and the boys to be involved in the Reedy Creek Dramatic Company in a packed concert organised for May ’34 where John and Finlay were part of a Chinese sketch which received many accolades.
For the wrong reason, Finlay, a talented horseman, was featured in the Naracoorte Herald in May ’35 when he ‘was out driving last week, left his horse while shutting a gate, and, taking the opportunity given to it, it careered past the shed, striking a post, smashing a step off the jinker, and breaking some of the harness.’ This contrasted with his accolade earned the following year, with an accompanying photo in the same paper. ‘TROOPER FINLAY BARNETT, who won the prize for the best turned out Trooper and Horse at the Kingston Show last Saturday. Kingston Troop of-the 3rd Light Horse has won the Regimental Efficiency Shield for two years.’ Finlay followed this up in ’37 winning the best dressed trooper award at the Kingston Centenary Celebrations.
Fin enlisted to serve in WWII the day before his 22nd birthday, on the 5th December ’40. His brother Charles enlisted on the 18th July ’42 becoming a Flight Lieutenant, number 417783 and John on the 21st August ’42, rising to become a Sergeant, SX22608. Younger brother Alan also enlisted on the 5th May ’43, rising to become Corporal SX31270. Following training in Terowie, Fin had pre-embarkation leave, then Corporal Finlay returned to Adelaide accompanied by his father. From there Fin travelled to the Middle East.
The South Eastern Times reported Finlay’s first wounding whilst in Egypt in its November ’42 issue, with a gunshot wound to his left chest. He was evacuated to hospital but was eventually able to re-join his unit. An extensive list was published in the November ‘42 issue of the Chronicle. It listed nine from Fin’s battalion either killed in action or who died of their wounds. They included SX8468 Pte. Patrick H. Hoare, SX13570 Pte. Charles Holman, SX7771 Pte. Henry O. Lohmann, SX6848 Cpt. Alfred F. Meyer, SX3149 Col. Arthur. H. Peters, SX11768 Pte. John R. Smith, SX13535 Pte. Allan L. Thessinger, SX13162 Pte. Thomas B. Cosgrave and SX7917 Pte. Leslie A. King. Fin was one of 26 from his battalion who were listed as being wounded in action. The 2/48th had paid a high price for their success.
By March the following year the Kingston area organised a huge social for their nine soldiers including the Barnett brothers, Trooper Robert and Finlay, returning from the Middle East, some of whom had been away for over two years. Taking their place on the stage, the soldiers were honoured by the singing of ‘For they are jolly good fellows’, followed by a medley of songs and presentations before dancing ensued.
Whilst in Queensland preparing to fight in tropical conditions and against a totally different enemy, Fin contracted Malaria but was able to re-join his battalion to head to Tarakan in New Guinea. He had only been there for three months when Fin was again wounded in action but remained with his unit.
Aged 26 Fin was killed in action at Tarakan on the 7th May ’45. John Glenn in Tobruk to Tarakan outlined the effectiveness of supporting fire by artillery and mortars. However, the Japanese had perfected the art of climbing trees, just waiting for a clear shot. Lieutenant Burke, to reassure his Platoon ‘had stood up at dawn and said “There are no sniper in this area.” Hardly had he finished speaking when he fell, mortally wounded. He had been shot by a sniper who was concealed among trees on a small hillock twenty yards from C Company.’ ‘Before he himself was shot he would add two more names to the list of our dead: Private M.W. Arnold and Private W.G. Barnett.’
The Advertiser in May ’45 carried the news that ‘Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Barnett. of Reedy Creek South-East, have received advice that their Fourth son L-Cpl. Finlay Barnett was killed in action on Tarakan on May 7. L-Cpl. Barnett enlisted in August 1940 and saw active service in Tobruk and the Middle East. He was wounded at El Alamein. He also took part in the landings at Lac and Finschhafen where he was again wounded. He was educated at Reedy Creek and worked on his father's' farm until he enlisted. Three brothers are in the service; Sgt. John. AIF, Queensland: Flt-Lt. Charles. RAAF. Eng: and Cpl Alan AIF. Bougainville.’
The Border Chronicle also published the news, adding extra personal detail. ‘Mr and Mrs G. B. Barnett, of Reedy Creek, S.E., have, received advice that their fourth son, L/Cpl Finlay Barnett, was killed in action on Tarakan on May 7th. He is a younger brother of Flt/Lt Charlie -Barnett (RAAF) and spent portions of his leave in the Tatiara at different times. He enlisted in August 1940 and saw active service in Tobruk and the Middle East. He was wounded at El Alamein. He took part in the landings at Lae and Finschafen, where he was again wounded. He worked on his father's farm at Reedy Creek until he enlisted. His mother, formerly Miss Mary Mudie, was one-time schoolteacher at Cannawigara. She has three more sons in the Fighting Services.’
The Naracoorte Herald reported that the family’s Methodist Church at the Mother’s Day service ‘made reference to the sorrow, being experienced by the Circuit Steward, Mr. G. Barnett, and Mrs. Barnett, of Reedy Creek, who had received news last week of their death of their fourth eldest son, Pte. Finlay G. Barnett, who fell in action at the front. The deepest sympathy of the church and friends go to Mr. and Mrs. Barnett in this, their time of sorrow.’
The Narracoorte Herald at the end of May then carried an extensive tribute to Fin and his family. ‘The Barnett Family's Fine War Record. On Saturday, May 12th, during a hospital fair at Kingston, Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Barnett received the sad news that their fourth son, Finlay, had been killed in action. Finlay Barnett enlisted in the 3rd Light Horse Regiment at the age of 18 years, joining his brother John, who was one of the original members of the local troop. Many members of this Regiment (the cradle, of numerous A.I.F. squadrons) will remember Fin as a most popular and efficient light horseman. One of a number of distinctions gained was that coveted competitive trophy for the "Best turned-out Trooper of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment." Then came the war, and the first medical examination (A.I.F. standard) recorded many of this regiment as unfit, Fin being one of that number. Undaunted, he immediately went into the Narracoorte Hospital to have a physical defect remedied, and within a few weeks after the operation he enlisted, but too late to join his pals, who had formed an A.I.F. Recce. Squadron. Fin, joined a famous infantry battalion and fought in Libya and the Middle East. At the siege of Tobruk he was wounded. One of his pals was a Kingstonite, Lt. Frank Threadgold SX127, until this gallant soldier was killed in action. Thence Fin fought in New Guinea and the South-West Pacific. Finlay enlisted in the A.I.F. in 1940. He served for five years in the infantry, steadfastly carrying out his duty, as a front-line soldier, and has paid the supreme sacrifice.
‘The Kingston district is justly proud of the soldierly record of the Barnett family, who have put up a record unsurpassed. Finlay's father, George B. Barnett, served in the Boer War, and his eldest son, John, has served throughout this war; the third, Charles, is a Flight-Lieutenant in Europe, and the fifth son, Alan, is serving in the South-West Pacific. George's brother, Charles F., served in the A.I.F. with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment.’
‘The Barnett family have associated themselves with every patriotic movement of national or social welfare in Kingston district. Much sympathy is felt towards these good parents for an irreplaceable loss sustained at the very period of VB thanksgiving. his district shall retain the memory of Fin as a happy young gentleman, who by his sacrifice has made our pathway so much easier to tread—so much brighter than, the paths that he chose as a duty. For that duty was the most noble that man may ever be called upon to perform.’
In June ’49 Fin was re-interred in the Labuan War Cemetery in Malaysia Plot 15, Row C, Grave 8 where his parents chose the inscription ‘In silence we remember’ for his headstone.
He now rests with others from the 2/48th battalion including 21 year old SX3156 Private Donald W.McKinnon, 23 year old WX26698 Keith Mort and other young men from the 2/24th Battalion.
In a thoughtful gesture, Fin’s youngest brother Peter and his wife Dawn named their son, born on December 8th 1951 Trevor Finlay. A fitting tribute.
His father, George died aged 69 in December ‘49. His mother lived to be 94 before her death in 1977 Both are buried in the Kingston Cemetery where their headstone also commemorates the life of their beloved son, Finlay.
In the ensuing years, the family and friends continued to remember Fin.
Advertiser Wednesday 16 May 1945, BARNETT.—In loving memory ot our dear son and brother Finlay, SX10571 killed in action at Tarakan May 7, 1945. His duty nobly done. —Inserted by his loving mother, father and brothers. BARNETT.—In fond and loving memory of Fin who made the supreme sacrifice, Tarakan, May 7, 1945. His smiling fees and happy ways Will linger with us all our days. —Inserted by his loving brother John and sister-in-law Molly. BARNETT. —In loving memory of our dear nephew and cousin Finlay, who made the supreme sacrifice at Tarakan May 7, 1945. In silence we remember.—Aunt Annie, uncle Alf, Alva, Jack.
Advertiser Tuesday 7 May 1946, BARNETT.—In sad but proud memory of our loved son Finlay, killed in action, Tarakan, May 7. 1945.—50 dearly loved, so sadly missed by his sorrowing dad, mum and brothers BARNETT. L/Cpl. Finlay. SX10571. —ln loving memory of our dear brother and uncle, who was killed in action, Tarakan. May 7, 1943. Links of gold may rust and sever but links of love last forever. Always remembered by Charles, Phyllis and Geoffrey. BARNETT.—In loving memory of Finlay, killed in action at Tarakan, May 7 1945 Always remembered by Uncle Dave, Aunty Essie and Chrissie. BARNETT.—In loving memory of Finlay, 2/48 Btn. killed in action Tarakan May 7 1945. In silence we remember. Always remembered by Peter, John and Mollie. BARNETT.—In loving memory of dear Fin, killed Tarakan Borneo May 7 1945. God saw what was before him what trials were to come, and stooping down, He gently took this much-loved soldier home. Aunty Belle. BARNETT.—Treasured memories of dear Fin, killed at Tarakan May 7 1945. He gave his life that we might live. Ever remembered by his friends Mr and Mrs Lynch and family.
Advertiser Wednesday 7 May 1947, BARNETT. — In loving memory of Finlay, killed in action, Tarakan. May 7, 1945. Within our store of memories, you hold a place apart. — Sadly missed by John and Molly. BARNETT, L/Cpl. Finlay. SX10571. — In loving memory of our dear brother and uncle, who was killed in action, Tarakan, May 7 1945. Years may dawn and fade away. loving memories will always stay. — Always remembered by Charles, Phyllis and Geoffrey. BARNETT, W. G. F. (2/48th Btn.). — In loving memory of our dear son and brother Finlay. who lost his life at Tarakan, May 7, 1945. — Always remembered by his sorrowing mother, father, brothers and sisters-in-law.
Advertiser Friday 7 May 1948, BARNETT.—Cherished memories of Finlay, killed in action, Tarakan, May 7. 1945. Time passes on. but memories linger.—Remembered always by John and Molly. BARNETT.—In loving memory of dear Finlay called to higher service, Tarakan. Borneo, May 7. 1945.— Remembered by Willington family. BARNETT.— L./Cpl W. G. F, 2/48th Btn.—ln loving memory of our loved son Finlay, killed in action. Tarakan. May 7. 1945.—Always remembered by mother and father. BARNETT. L-Cpl. W. G. F, 2/48th Btn.—ln loving memory of our dear brother and Uncle Finlay, who gave his life at Tarakan. May 7. 1945.— Inserted by Charlie. Phyllis. Geoffrey and Jill BABNETT, L-Cpl W. G. F, 2/48th Btn.—ln loving memory ot our dear brother Finlay. killed in action, Tarakan, May 7. 1845.—Remembered always by Alan and Peter.
Advertiser Tuesday 6 December 1949, BARNETT.—On December 4, at Naracoorte, George Bucher, beloved husband of Elizabeth Mary Barnett, and father of John, Robert, Charles, Allen, Peter and the late Finlay (killed in action). Aged 69 years.
Advertiser Saturday 6 May 1950, BARNETT. Finlay, 2/48 Batt.— In loving memory of our dear son and brother, killed in action Tarakan, May 7 1945. — Always remembered by mother, brothers and sisters-in-law. BARNETT. Finlay. — In loving memory of Fin., who gave his life on Tarakan. May 7, 1945.— Ever remembered by John and Molly. BARNETT. L/Cpl W. G. F. SX10571. 2nd 48th Batt. — In loving memory of Finlay. killed in action, Tarakan. May 7. 1945.— Ever remembered by Charlie, Phyllis and Geoffrey.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.