The Late John Barrie, Mbe

MANAGER of the company which sup plied Rabaul with electric power, Mr. John Barrie, MBE, was one of the men sacrificed when Australia aban doned Rabaul to the Japs, in January, 1942.

Mr. Barrie was one of the best-known and most popular men in Rabaul. He served in the AIF in World War I, and

was an active member of the NGVR. He took a keen interest in the Returned Sol diers’ Association and was captain of the Commerce Cricket Team. He was decor ated for his courage and resource in re maining at his station, and providing power and light, especially to the radio station, during the eruption in 1937. His assistant, Mr. W. Elsworthy, was the only European to lose his life on that occa sion. Mr. Elsworthy went up Matupi to photograph the eruption of Mount Vul can, and disappeared; and it was Mr.

Barrie who went out to look for him, Mr.

Barrie got away from the Japs in Rabaul, and was one of a party which reached Tol Plantation on Wide May. Here, he was captured and murdered by the Japs.

Mrs. Barrie has been serving in the Australian Forces, but is now a resident of Woollahra, Sydney.