§ 35. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the hon. Member for Sheffield (Central Division) if he can now make any further statement in regard to the case of J. Barry, formerly of 27, Bonsfield Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool, and a private in the 2nd Scots Guards, who, after being a prisoner of war in Germany for three and a half years, is reported to have been killed by his guard on the 18th January last?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONIt has, unfortunately, proved impossible to obtain the evidence of an eye-witness of Private Barry's death. According to the German account Barry refused to obey an order, and, on its being repeated, struck the sentry, then seizing his rifle and catching him by the throat. The sentry got clear, and Barry again rushed at him, when the sentry shot him. The German authorities consider that this was justified in the circumstances.
193 All accounts which have reached us from his fellow prisoners—but none of them were actually present—agree that Barry merely refused to fetch some coffee, which, as it was almost undrinkable, he did not want. The sentry shot him without further altercation.
It is now proposed to demand further inquiry into Barry's death, pointing out that according to all accounts which have reached us there was nothing to justify the sentry in taking the action which he did.