The unknown story of John Newsome Barran

“Barran I am very proud of you; you have won golden honours for yourself……………”

We believe John Newsome Barran is Farsley’s most decorated soldier of World War One, made even more memorable as he was awarded the Military Medal twice and Mentioned in Despatches in his role as a member of a medical unit.

He served throughout World War One, combined with a lifelong dedication to Armley and Farsley St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, receiving two long service awards.

His Service number was 3252, serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps, he was attached to the Royal Marine’s medical unit as part of the Anson Battalion of the Royal Naval Division – Churchill’s “dismounted” sailors who served as infantry in many of the bloodiest battles in World War One.

John Barran lived at 1 Coal Hill Lane, (now no. 55) and worked at Cape Mill, opposite Farsley Rehoboth.

He died age 45 in 1940, contracting pneumonia after attending a road traffic accident in Swinnow and wrapping the injured person in his coat, he was buried in grave E16 on 24th January 1940, in a grave that bears the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade insignia.

He left a wife Elisabeth, a daughter Vera and a son Jack.

For the past few months our research team have worked with John Barran’s grandson in discovering and documenting John’s story, including now a daily diary that covers all of his war service.

Here is the summary of one week’s entry in Gallipoli, Turkey, May 1915, John Barran had just achieved his 20th birthday:

Monday, May 3: Moved to the right flank and carried out first aid for three days.

The Advance and Heroic Action

Thursday, May 6: The troops were ordered to advance. Barran's first aid party was split up; he went on alone behind the children (likely a reference to young soldiers) rendering first aid under heavy fire.

The "Heroic Deed": Barran dressed the wounds of men, took them to safety, and advanced alone into the firing line. He rendered first aid to about 100 men over 8 hours until his medical materials were exhausted.

Recognition: Upon returning, he was highly congratulated by officers and the doctor. The doctor shook his hand and said: "Barran, I am very proud of you, you have won golden honours for yourself."

However, we had no photograph of John Barran to either add to the Rehoboth database or to any articles – until 5th January 2026 – it has never been published before appearing in The Squeaker. He is wearing his first Military Medal, awarded for the deeds described above.

There is much more of his story to tell, mostly in his own words, we are privileged to learn his story.

We are creating a display case containing replicas of his five medals, (the originals, we are pleased to say, are proudly with his family) which with his previously unpublished photograph and nameplate will be exhibited at our tours and services, and at a forthcoming exhibition at Abbey House Museum, Kirkstall, Leeds in April this year.

The Heroic Deed in John Barran’s own words:

“Everything went well until we had advanced 100 yards, when we were obliged to take cover owing to the heavy fire.

After being under cover for about 10 minutes, I tried to urge my men to go forward, but they would not, so I left them and went along by myself.

I dressed the wounds of the men and led them to safety. As I was doing this, I could see wounded men lying in an open field, waving their arms and calling me to go to them next.

Oh, yes, I went to the men, under heavy machine gun and rifle fire. After treating these men, even crying, yes shedding bitter tears, I dragged them into safety.

I advanced along by myself, treating the wounded as I went along and eventually found myself in the firing line. At this point there were many men dead and wounded.

I treated the wounded, still under heavy fire, for about five hours, until my material was completely finished.”