Cenotaph Stories

Barjarow, Tracy

Tracy Barjarow was born 5 May 1899 in Coboconk ON. His parents, Reuben and Jennie Barjarow eventually settled in Lindsay ON at 46 Queen Street and had a total of 8 children (2 girls, 6 boys). Three of the sons, George, Stanley and Tracy, enlisted for service, with only George making it home safely.

Standing in line behind his older brother Stanley, Tracy enlisted on 22 November 1915 with the 109th Battalion in Lindsay ON. Both Stanley and Tracy were transferred to the 38th Battalion before they landed in France and served out their time together.

During the first wave of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, only a month before his 18th birthday, Tracy found himself going over the top on the first day of the battle. The 38th Battalion was right in the thick of the fighting, and took significant losses throughout the coming days. The 38th Battalion war diary has a very detailed summary of the entire battle, but sets the scene in brief:

"Batt in trenches as previously stated, until 835 when the charge was made. The attack was made in four waves with a total strength in the waves of 12 officers and 550 OR. There were, in addition the commanding officer and six other officers at Battalion Headquarters, the RSM, 3 orderly room clerks, 14 signallers, 16 runners, 5 medical staff in Blue Bull Tunnel. During the day, three officers and 60 OR, specialists, were ordered up from Chateau de la Haie, these taking part in subsequent operations."

Tracy Barjarow’s name is on the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, which honours all Canadians who served during the First World War and bears the names of those who died in France with no known grave. He was 17 years old.