Charles St Leger Barter

Charles Barter was the son of the Rev J T Barter of Bercham, Co Cork. A graduate of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he began his military career with a commission in the 105th Foot in 1875. Later, after attending the Staff College, Camberley in 1883, he served in several military campaigns including the Fourth Ashanti War and the Tirah campaign.{{cite web|url=https://www.angloboerwar.com/index.php?option=com_grid&gid=2&p=1922|title=Barter, Charles St Leger|publisher=Anglo-Noer War|accessdate=17 June 2020}} In January 1884 he was appointed an instructor at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst{{London Gazette|issue=25315|page=536|date=5 February 1884}} having been seconded from his regiment.{{London Gazette|issue=25322|page=967|date=26 February 1884}}

From 1899 to 1902 Barter was in command of the 2nd Battalion of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, serving in South Africa during the Second Boer War. The battalion served with General Bruce Hamilton in the Transvaal during the later stages of the war, and he was in command at Ermelo in March 1902.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Latest intelligence – The Transvaal|date=10 March 1902 |page=5 |issue=36711}} After the war had ended in June 1902, Barter resigned his command of the battalion and was placed on half-pay with a brevet promotion to colonel on 19 July 1902,{{London Gazette |issue=27462 |date=8 August 1902 |page=5099 }}{{London Gazette|issue= 27474|date=16 September 1902 |page=5965}} leaving Cape Town for Southampton the following month.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=The Army in South Africa – Troops returning home |date=31 July 1902 |page=5 |issue=36834}} For his service, Barter was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the April 1901 South Africa Honours list (the award was dated to 29 November 1900),{{London Gazette |issue=27306 |date=19 April 1901 |page=2696}} and he received the actual decoration after his return, from King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace on 24 October 1902.{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Court Circular |date=25 October 1902 |page=8 |issue=36908}}

Following his return, Barter was on 6 September 1902 appointed assistant adjutant-general of the Thames District, based at Chatham, Kent,{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Naval & Military intelligence |date=6 September 1902 |page=8 |issue=36866}}{{Cite newspaper The Times |title=Army Corps appointments|date=12 September 1902 |page=6 |issue=36871}} with the substantive rank of colonel.{{London Gazette|issue= 27474|date=16 September 1902 |page=5964}}Hart´s Army list, 1903 He became commander of the Poona Brigade in June 1909 and General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 47th (1/2nd London) Division in August 1914 at the outset of the First World War.{{cite web|url=https://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Army%20Commands%201860-.pdf|title=Army Commands|accessdate=17 June 2020}} He led the division to France in March 1915 and by May 1915 the division was fighting at Aubers Ridge.{{cite web|url=https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/order-of-battle-of-divisions/47th-2nd-london-division/|title=47th (2nd London) Division|publisher=The Long, Long Trail|accessdate=17 June 2020}}

Major General Barter and the 47th Division continued fighting on the Western Front and participated in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. It was during action at the Somme that the 47th Division and Barter were involved in the battle for High Wood. Shortly after the capture of High Wood, General Barter was relieved of his command.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JDQVfHkdQQ4C&pg=PT142|title=The Unknown Soldier|first= Neil|last= Hanson|publisher=Doubleday|year=2005|isbn= 978-0385604536}} For the remainder of his life, Barter attempted to have an official enquiry into his dismissal but was unsuccessful.

Charles Barter was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in January 1916{{London Gazette|issue=12894|page=81|date=17 January 1916|city=e}} and, after being promoted to temporary lieutenant general while specially employed,{{London Gazette|issue=30160|page=6528|date=29 June 1917|supp=y}} a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George{{London Gazette|city=e|issue=13186|date=1 January 1918|page=9}} in 1918 for his service, and retired from the army in 1918.{{cite web|url=http://www.firstworldwar.bham.ac.uk/donkey/barter.htm|title=Charles St Leger Barter|publisher=Centre for First World War Studies|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316051117/http://www.firstworldwar.bham.ac.uk/donkey/barter.htm|accessdate=17 June 2020|archive-date=16 March 2009}}

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{{Portal|Biography}}

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{{s-bef|before=Thomas Morland}}

{{s-ttl|title=GOC 47th (1/2nd London) Division|years=1914–1916}}

{{s-aft|after=George Gorringe}}

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Category:British Army personnel of the Second Boer War

Category:Graduates of the Staff College, Camberley

Category:Graduates of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst

Category:British Army generals of World War I

Category:1857 births

Category:1931 deaths

Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath

Category:Knights Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George

Category:Commanders of the Royal Victorian Order

Category:British Army major generals

Category:British military personnel of the Fourth Anglo-Ashanti War

Category:British military personnel of the Tirah campaign

Category:Academics of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst