Sir Sydney Barton 1876 - 1946.

Sir Sydney Barton 1876 - 1946.

Sidney Barton was a particularly brilliant student and became a diplomat. He took part in the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900 and was awarded the China Medal. He compiled a Chinese-English Dictionary. His great knowledge of China and its people was recognized and the Chinese leader Chiang Kai Sek invited him as a witness to his wedding to Mae-Ling-Soong. He was later knighted. In 1929 Sidney Barton was appointed British Minister in Ethiopia and was at the Coronation of the Emperor Haile Selassie. Sidney Barton could plainly see the coming invasion of Ethiopia and brought in Indian Troops to defend the Embassy and during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 he was able to provide shelter for 2000 refugees.

Sir Anthony Eden told the House of Commons that the conduct of Sir Sidney Barton had been beyond praise. He retired after the invasion and devoted himself to working for the exiled Emperor and his family. He had been annoyed by the manoeuvres of the great powers, including England, who had allowed this invasion to take place. He
died in January 1946 and is buried at Muckross Church near the family home at Waterfoot, Pettigo.