Home  Catalogue Early Years
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Early Years |
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In 1883 Edward Barry married an Irish woman, Kathleen Ellen Bicknell; in December of that same year Francis Barry was born. Two years later, Kathleen died – probably from complications relating to childbirth, as she was followed several weeks later by her newborn son. To lose a mother is difficult for any child; for an only child whose father spent much of his time abroad, it must have been devastating.
Nonetheless Francis Barry's early childhood does not appear to have been too bleak. A loving nurse was found to care for the boy, as indicated by a letter found in Barry's briefcase after his death. Acknowledging his twenty-first birthday, Anna Dowling writes with touching affection: 'I am sending you a line to wish you a very happy birthday, and I hope you will have many more happy ones. I hope you are quite well. With love to you and every good and kind wish. I remain your ever affectionate old nurse'
The boy enjoyed a good relationship with his paternal grandfather, with whom he shared an interest in antiquities; he was also taken up by his maternal grandparents, who supported him throughout his adolescent difficulties.
In 1891, when Francis was eight years old, his father remarried. His step-mother, Eleanor Margaret Scott, was an ambitious woman who proceeded to have four children – one son, Edward Courtenay Tress, known as Sonny (b.1895), and three daughters: Cicely (1892), Margaret (1894) and Rosamonde (1903). In the time honoured tradition of wicked step-mothers Eleanor placed the interests of her own children firmly ahead of those of those of her step-son.
Around the time of his father's remarriage Francis was sent to board at Mrs Bond's school for boys in Bexhill. From there he moved to Aysford, a small private school on the Devon–Somerset border. Aysford was founded in 1701 by Nicholas Aysford of Taunton; it fell into abeyance and was reopened in 1890 as a school for boys aged 7 to 14. It was at this time that Barry joined the school, one of 20 boys, of whom half were boarders like himself. Reflecting a Victorian faith in the virtue of competitive sport, the boys spent much of their day on the playing field. Scholastically the emphasis was on the Classics, but additional lessons were given in English and Writing. Despite this relatively enlightened view of education it is unlikely that any art classes were provided. Nonetheless, from an early age, Francis Barry displayed a talent for drawing. Correspondence shows both his father and his paternal grandfather offering sympathetic commentaries on the many sketches he sent for their approval.
Though he was never particularly academic, Barry learned enough Latin and Greek at Aysford to secure himself a place at Harrow. This he took up in the Christmas term of 1897.
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