“Canada’s Oldest Soldier”

When Jim Barber tried to enlist in the Veterans Guard of Canada in May 1940, he was initially turned away. But after the Japanese attack on Pearl Habour, he tried again and this time he succeeded. Recording his age as forty-eight, two years under the age limit for VGC recruits, Barber would spend the next three years working as part of the staff of Camp 133 at Lethbridge, Alberta. But he was hiding a secret: he was not in his fifties, let alone his late forties. Eager to do his bit, Barber had enlisted in his late sixties and this was, in fact, his third war.

Born somewhere in the United Kingdom around 1875, Barber had joined the 17th Lancers in 1894 and served with that Regiment in the Boer War (1899-1902). He emigrated to Canada in 1912 and once again answered the call when war broke out in 1914. He spent the First World War serving with the 67th “Western Scots” Battalion and is later believed to have settled in the Vancouver area. Eager to serve in what would be his third conflict, he volunteered once more.

Barber’s story caught the attention of the Calgary Albertan (see right) and the following entry was added to the Camp 133 War Diary:

Claiming to be Canada’s oldest soldier, Pte. Jim Barber of Camp H.Q. Staff, seventy years of age, has now retired from army life and leaves this camp for Vancouver, BC. for discharge on medical grounds. Enlisting in the VGC at the Pacific Coast and giving his age as under 50, Pte. Barber recently intimated that he desired to change his age and had his correct age put through Part II Orders. Young and active in appearance he carried out his duties in this camp well and his spirit and energy belied his age. However, his health had not been so good the last few weeks and after a spell in hospital was medically boarded and now, like all old soldiers, ‘fades away’. His career, apparently throughout his life was a strenuous and somewhat stormy one, serving for many years at sea, traveling all over the world from Vancouver to Australia, South Africa and other places. He joined the CEF in the last war, previously having served in the Boer War, and served with the Western Scots, reaching the rank of S/Sgt. Instructor. Pte. Barber was not a man to talk about himself, however, and his real life story might be interesting if he were to relate all his experiences of the past fifty years. He has earned retirement now after his service in this camp and at the age of three score years and ten many now rest on his past glory.

Camp 133 War Diary, June 18, 1945

His only regret, the Calgary Albertan reported, was that he was “that he will not be able to volunteer for service in the Pacific.”

While Private Jim Barber and the rest of the Veterans Guard of Canada may have, “like all old soldiers, ‘faded away,'” I hope we can all find a little time today to remember them.

Lest We Forget.