Barras, William George (1886 - 1917)

Staff Surgeon, HMS Lord Nelson and HMS Vanguard

Buried at Chatham Naval Memorial

Commemorated at University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel

At the beginning of the war William was called up and was on active service until his death. On board the Lord Nelson he took part in the Dardanelles, Turkey, and had many narrow escapes. He was on board HMS Vanguard when she blew up while at anchor at Scapa Flow on the night of 9 July 1917.

One of the most widely known men in Govan and son Dr. James Barras, who for fifty years was Medical Officer of Govan, Parish, Glasgow. Dr. Barras, on leaving Bellahouston Academy, studied Medicine at the University of Glasgow where he graduated in 1889 and three years later took the Degree of M.D.

After further study in Durham University he took the Degrees of D.P.H. and L.L.S.C. A doctor of outstanding ability he had a large private practice and acted as Deputy Medical Officer and Police Casualty Surgeon to the Burgh of Govan, while, in addition to this, he was Bacteriologist to the Burgh and was in charge of the Laboratory in the Municipal Buildings. One of his many interests was the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.

Memorial: Bellahouston Academy Roll of Honour 1914-1918; University of Glasgow Roll of Honour; Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.