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Title: A Doctor in France, 1917-1919: The Diary of Harold Barclay

Author: Harold Barclay

Release date: September 23, 2019 [eBook #60343] Most recently updated: October 17, 2024

Language: English

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A DOCTOR IN FRANCE

1917 · 1919

A DOCTOR IN FRANCE 1917 · 1919

The Diary of

HAROLD BARCLAY

Lieutenant-Colonel American Expeditionary Forces

New York Privately Printed

Copyright 1923 by Helen Barclay Printed in the United States of America

EDITOR’S NOTE

Harold Barclay, son of Sackett Moore and Cornelia Barclay Barclay, was born in New York City, August 14, 1872. At Cazenovia, N.Y., his parents had their country home and there by the beautiful Lake of Cazenovia he spent his early years and grew up with that great love for the country and dislike of cities which lasted all his life.

He entered Harvard University (class of 1897) but left after the first year as he wished to go to Europe. After traveling a few months he went to Germany to study music. He had a beautiful voice and was a natural musician, and so great was the encouragement he received from his teachers that for some time he considered making music his life work. But other counsels prevailed and he finally chose the career of a physician—​a choice which his great success fully justified.

In 1899 he graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons. He had, however, found time to serve his country in the Spanish-American War, when he acted as medical assistant in Troop A, United States Volunteers in Porto Rico.

In April, 1906, he married Helen Fuller Potter, daughter of the Rev. Dr. Eliphabet Nott Potter.

During all these busy years, his love of music and travel continued and always when possible his holidays were spent in European travel or scientific studies in France or Germany.

When in 1917 America entered the World War, Dr. Barclay received a commission as captain and went overseas in the Roosevelt Hospital Unit. Promoted to Major in February, 1918, he was later transferred to the 42nd (Rainbow) Division, in which he served during the heavy fighting at Château-Thierry and St.-Mihiel. In November, 1918, he became a Lieutenant-Colonel and was ordered home January 2, 1919.

Dr. Barclay was traveling with his wife in France when his sudden death occurred at Biarritz in the summer of 1922.