John “Doddie” Barbour

John was born in the Gorbals in 1890. He attended Hutcheson’s Grammar School in Glasgow, and during his time at the school  represented Scotland schoolboys against England.

He trained as an auditor, and worked for a railway company.

John’s football career started with junior club Glasgow Perthshire F.C., before joining Queens Park as an amateur in 1910.

He signed for Dundee F.C. on 18^th June 1913. The Dark Blues did well to obtain his signature, as it was rumoured that four Scottish first division, and two English teams were keen to sign him.

He had an inconsistent first season, and was in and out of the team. One match report commentated:

“John Barbour has disappointed. He beats his man cleverly at times, but generally parts with the ball to an opponent’s foot.”

Whilst another said he performed in a “brilliant style” and that he was a player of “more than average merit.”

By the start of the following season, he was available for a transfer. Preston North End, Partick Thistle and Third Lanark were all keen to sign him. The “Lilywhites” made the best offer, and he made his way down south. He was part of the team that won the Second Division title.

When WW1 started Doddie enlisted as a Private in the Highland Light Infantry, he continued to play football with the Glasgow Highlanders.

By 1916, he had been promoted to lance Corporal, and was fighting at the Somme when he was killed in action on the 15^th July.

The Lancashire Evening Post reported:

“Lance Corporal Barbour had initially been wounded, and reportedly said to a colleague, who told him to stay where he was, that he would carry on and “Stick to it.” John continued to move forward before again being hit. He met his death charging the enemy.”

John is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The image is from IWM Lives of the First World War.