Son of Dr. Henry (Harry) Summers (veteran of the Great War 228218 – 198^th Bn.), and Alice M. Barlow of Chatham, Ontario, Canada. The brother of Lieut. Douglas S and Murray B.  

Keith enlisted 23/05/1943 at the age of 21 as soon as he left school. One of Chatham’s outstanding young men, clever, ambitious and undoubtedly a brilliant future awaited him. The CDN 23/12/43(P) reported that three of the Barlow brothers, Douglas served with the 11^th Canadian Tank Regt., Sgt. Murray was with 429^th Squadron RCAF and Keith was overseas with Number 3 Canadian Infantry reserve unit.    

Keith spent two weeks training in London, and then two months at No. 12 BTC in Chatham. This was followed by two months at Ipperwash and five weeks in a school of instruction. After this, he was granted five days leave before leaving for England. He then proceeded to Italy with the RCR.  

Cpl Barlow was wounded early in September of 1943 in Italy. A shell burst and damaged his ear drum. He made a speedy recovery from that and was expecting to go on an NCO course.  The CDN 29/04/44 (P) reported that 20 year old Keith found Italy “about as pictured it would be what he expected, but had yet to see front line action on the scale he expected”. His regiment was ordered back into the line immediately after he left the hospital in England.

Dr. Barlow, accompanied by his son, Blake, were in Detroit, Michigan when the letter arrived announcing the death of Keith. The doctor had been taking an advanced course in medicine. The father and son duo began the drive back to Chatham only to be stopped by snowdrifts and had to complete the journey by train.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	CDN (13/12/44)
Supplemental Information	Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: II. G. 5. Cemetery: RAVENNA WAR CEMETERY. Index of Overseas Deaths.

---

Notice something wrong with this record? Or, do you have something to add? Report it using our online form.