BARRY FAMILY by Bill Barry (1967)

    At the turn of the century when the misty hills of Scotland were providing settlers for many parts of the world, a number of young Scots from Carnoustie chose Russell, Manitoba. Among them in 1900 was Harold Renton Barry. Harold Barry had been a horse enthusiast in Scotland and it was natural that, from his earliest farming days in Canada he kept horses suitable for riding, and encouraged others in the district to follow similar interests. By 1915 he had progressed from farm laborer to farsn owner, and married Margaret Simms, second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Simms, who had by that time homesteaded in the district for more than thirty years.

    Within a few years he became an organizer as well as a competitor in horse racing associated with the Russell Fair and Sports days. He harboured a theory for some years, that the heavier breeds of horses such as Clydesdale and Percheron were unsuitable for most tasks associated with Western Canadian farming. He felt that such heavy draft horses should be cross-bred with Thoroughbreds to provide a versatile horse suitable for use in the fields, on the road, and on the range. Consequently in the late 1920's he organized and began operating the Russell Thoroughbred Breeding Station. This resulted in the export of many light horses to Eastern Canada, and to the other Prairie Provinces.

    His interest in the development of Thoroughbred racing was manifested in the running of the first Russell Derby in 1930. Although his campaigning for such an event had led him away from being an active participant owner, his proficiency as a jockey combined with his light weight resulted in many bids for him to ride in the first Russell Derby. He finally agreed to ride "Little Dot" for Thomas Edmundson, of Birtle, and was able to "boot home" the first Russell Derby winner.

    In the following years Harold became more involved in the operation of the Russell Agricultural Society as he assumed the post of secretary-treasurer. He also acted as secretary-treasurer for the Russell Golf Club, Russell Curling Club, and Russell Hockey Club for some years from 1940 until he was taken seriously ill in January 1948. He passed away in 1948 at the age of 66. Mrs. Barry passed away in 1962 at the age of 79.

    The children were William A.R., born in 1916 and Rhoda Catherine, born in 1922.

    William, or Bill, as he was better known became a printer in the Russell Banner office where he remained for three and a half years before taking positions successively with the barberry News-Express, and the Morden Times. In March, 1941, he enlisted and after being trained as an Air Observer proceeded overseas. He flew his first combat operations in July 1942 and the following month was transferred to the Royal Air Force 1474 Flight for special duties work. The purpose of the unit was to investigate enemy radio and radar activity, and the R.A.F; bomber losses in the autumn of 1942 indicated a firm need for such activity. It was known that the Luftwaffe had put into service a radar set capable of "homing" in on bomber aircraft, and that it could be operated from Junkers 88 aircraft without reference to ground control or ground assistance. There appeared to be no way to discover the frequency and other characteristics of the radar without providing a "decoy" aircraft to be attacked. On the night of December 2, 3, 1942, the decoy was presented. It was a Wellington aircraft of 1474 Flight and Bill Barry was the navigator. The attack occurred and during the height of the conflict, the valued information was obtained and transmitted by radio to the unit's base in Britain. When the Junkars 88 broke off after numerous attacks, the Wellington was damaged so hadly that a crash landing appeared imminent. Four crew members were wounded, and the remaining two of which Bill was one, covered the numerous tasks to keep the aircraft flying until the enemy coast had been crossed and it could be "ditched" in the Straits of Dover. The incident proceed that radio and radar investigation was a necessary adjunct of air intelligence, and five members of the crew were decorated. Bill continued his operational flying with this air intelligence organization, including in his log book the first operational flying with use of a self-recording unit for radio investigation work in a Mosquito aircraft in July 1943.

    Following his return from overseas in the autumn of 1944, Bill married Miss Eva Morden, great granddaughter of Alvey Baker Morden on whose homestead the town of Morden Stands today. When the war ended in 1945, Bill remained in the R.C.A.F. He spent some time as flight dispatcher and navigator in air transport units in Pennfield Ridge, New Brunswick, and Ottawa. In 1946 he was transferred to a public relations role and served successively in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Trenton, Ontario. In 1950 he returned to flying duties, and after four months at Summerside, P.E.I., was transferred to 408 Photographic Squadron for survey flying in Northern Canada.  In this capacity he flew the photo lines producing the first aerial survey of Ellesmere Island in June 1950.   Following three summers of Northern survey operations he attended Staff College in Toronto and graduated in May 1953.  From 1953 to 1961 he was employed in organization and management staff positions at headquarters formations in Ottawa and St. Hubert, Quebec.  In 1961 he moved to Alberta to become Executive Officer at RCAF Station Cold Lake.  He retired at the conclusion of 24 years military service, and is now employed as departmental personnel officer for the Alberta Government Department of Public Works.   His family consists of William Cooper; Grant Morden; John Stuart and Gillian Eva.  The four children are all pursuing their education in Edmonton.

Rhoda attended teacher's college in Brandon in 1940 and 1941, and taught school at Portage la Prairie, Londonderry, and Flin Flon.  She was married to Mr. Robert E. Burkett of Flin Flon in 1952.  After a short time in Flin Flon they moved to Lynne Lake, Manitoba, where he purchased a drug store.  Their family consists of Barry Robert; Donald Grant; and David Renton.

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