early life
Richard at Riverton Public School
Richard Barclay was born on January 25, 1919, to Richard D. Barclay and Therese Barclay. He was fortunate enough to live a life with such an optimistic and loving family who affectionately nicknamed him "Dick." He grew up in a large family and had three siblings: Walter, Emily, and Betsy.
Richard was brought up as a Quaker. His ultimate decision to enlist in the Armed Service was very difficult as many young Quakers struggled with this decision. Both Richard and his older brother Walter serve in the Armed Services, although Walter was in the Army and Richard the Navy. Also, several of their close friends chose different types of service, acting as conscientious doctors and much more.
Richard was brought up as a Quaker. His ultimate decision to enlist in the Armed Service was very difficult as many young Quakers struggled with this decision. Both Richard and his older brother Walter serve in the Armed Services, although Walter was in the Army and Richard the Navy. Also, several of their close friends chose different types of service, acting as conscientious doctors and much more.
family
From Left to Right: Walter, Emily, Richard, and Betsy Barclay
A famous Zen Buddhist monk once said, “If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people.” There is no doubt that Lieutenant Barclay's family influenced his decision to enlist in the navy. We have to sincerely thank his family for bringing up such a courageous young man who ended up sacrificing his life in hopes of better tomorrow for the people he knew and grew up with.
Richard M. Barclay's father, Richard D. Barclay, was born in Pennsylvania. Therese D. Barclay, Richard's mother, was born in Riverton, New Jersey, and worked as a librarian in the Riverton Free library and later in the Moorestown Friends School. He had three siblings: an older brother named Walter, an older sister named Emily, and a younger sister, Elizabeth. Richard, born in 1919, was the third child to Richard D. and Therese. His brother, Walter, ended up owning his own insurance agency in Riverton, that is now called The Barclay Insurance Group. Emily worked for a welfare company in Moorestown and, later, she worked in Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania. All of the children attended college and Richard, specifically, went to Middlebury College in Vermont. In December of 1940, Richard married Patricia Lundrigan of Germantown, PA. They were stationed in Portland, Maine until he went overseas.
Richard M. Barclay's father, Richard D. Barclay, was born in Pennsylvania. Therese D. Barclay, Richard's mother, was born in Riverton, New Jersey, and worked as a librarian in the Riverton Free library and later in the Moorestown Friends School. He had three siblings: an older brother named Walter, an older sister named Emily, and a younger sister, Elizabeth. Richard, born in 1919, was the third child to Richard D. and Therese. His brother, Walter, ended up owning his own insurance agency in Riverton, that is now called The Barclay Insurance Group. Emily worked for a welfare company in Moorestown and, later, she worked in Buck Hill Falls, Pennsylvania. All of the children attended college and Richard, specifically, went to Middlebury College in Vermont. In December of 1940, Richard married Patricia Lundrigan of Germantown, PA. They were stationed in Portland, Maine until he went overseas.
Growing up in Riverton, New Jersey
Richard's childhood home
The Barclay family lived in a beautiful home overlooking a large and well-maintained yard. Richard's childhood takes place on 205 Lippincott Avenue in Riverton. This house was built by Richard's grandparents, Ella Marry and Walter Spackman in 1899, and Richard's parents moved in several years later. The lovely house has eight bedrooms and three and half baths. This home also had vinyl and wood floors and a coalfired furnace.
Growing up, Richard tried and participated in various sports. He especially excelled in track and field, specifically the pole vault. He also enjoyed sailing on the Delaware River during his teens. One of his hobbies was woodworking, and he became quite skilled at it.
Growing up, Richard tried and participated in various sports. He especially excelled in track and field, specifically the pole vault. He also enjoyed sailing on the Delaware River during his teens. One of his hobbies was woodworking, and he became quite skilled at it.
education
Westfield Friends School, Cinnaminson, NJ
Richard Barclay began his education at the Westfield Friends' School, a private school in Cinnaminson, NJ. He later attended Riverton Public School and, then, went on to the Moorestown High School. Richard played an active role in his high school's community as he was a part of the Junior Council. His picture and name are taken down from a page out of his yearbook (See Primary Sources). Finally, he graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1940. At Middlebury, Richard majored in geology. He also spent a summer study program at the Colorado School of Mines.
Richard had a passion for skiing and was a competition skier at Middlebury. In an edition of the Middlebury newsletter on December 15, 1937, he is mentioned in the article "Intercollegiate Ski Union To Conduct Annual Meet Here." Middlebury expected to receive the biggest ski meet that year, and among the nominees included Richard M. Barclay, Class of 1940 (See Primary Sources). Also at Middlebury, Richard joined the Mountain Club and enjoyed the hiking, mountain climbing, and campouts. In the fall of 1940, shortly after his graduation, Richard began his honorary service in U.S. Navy Reserves.
Richard had a passion for skiing and was a competition skier at Middlebury. In an edition of the Middlebury newsletter on December 15, 1937, he is mentioned in the article "Intercollegiate Ski Union To Conduct Annual Meet Here." Middlebury expected to receive the biggest ski meet that year, and among the nominees included Richard M. Barclay, Class of 1940 (See Primary Sources). Also at Middlebury, Richard joined the Mountain Club and enjoyed the hiking, mountain climbing, and campouts. In the fall of 1940, shortly after his graduation, Richard began his honorary service in U.S. Navy Reserves.
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