Charles St Leger BARTER (1857-1931)

Charles St Leger Barter (1857-1931) was General Officer Commanding 47th (2nd London) Division Territorial Force, which was the force to which George Sladden was attached.

Charles Barter graduated from Sandhurst and was commissioned in the 105th Foot (later 2nd Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry) in 1875. He saw active service in the Ashanti Expedition (1895-6), the Tirah Campaign (1897) and the South African War (1899-1901).

At the start of the First World War, Barter was appointed GOC Barter for the 47th (2nd London) Division Territorial Force.  He took 47th Division to France in March 1915. They first saw action at Aubers Ridge (9 May), quickly followed by Festubert (15-25 May), Loos (25 September-1 October) and the Hohenzollern Redoubt (13-19 October).

Major General Barter and the 47th Division continued fighting on the Western Front and participated in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. It was during action at the Somme that the 47th Division and General Barter were involved in the battle for High Wood. Shortly after the capture of High Wood, General Barter was relieved of his command.

Charles Barter was awarded the KCB (1916) and KCMG (1918) for his service and retired from the Army in December 1918.