Ira Francis Barclay
Ira
Francis Barclay, born 5 Jan 1893 (or 1894) in Novelty, Missouri was the son of
Francis Arthur Barclay and Eva May Cockrum. Barclay was drafted to military
service Oct. 3, 1917, to serve in the United States Army in World War I.
He was sent to Camp Funston, Kansas and was in the 89th Division, Co. G, 354th
Infantry. His remained at Camp Funston until 12 April 1918 when he was
transferred to Camp Mills, New York and assigned to Co. M, 137th Infantry, 35th
Division. He departed Camp Mills on 25 April 1918 and arrived overseas on 10 May
1918. Barclay was killed in action at the Battle of the Argonne Forest, on
Sept. 27th 1918. He attained the rank of Corporal before his death. First notice
of his death was received by letter from France written by Winthrop Allen,
1st Lt., 60th Artillery, A.P.O. 738-A.E.F., dated 7 Oct 1918. Received official
notice of death from Washington DC, 1 Nov 1918. Barclay was buried at Arlington
National Cemetery. The American Legion Hall at Novelty, Mo.was named after Ira
Francis Barclay. Text and photograph provided by Wayne K. Steidley, nephew of
Corp. Barclay.