'For conspicuous good work and devotion to duty in St Jean Area from 8th to 21st October 1917. As platoon sergeant, Sergt Barclay has consistently and wholeheartedly devoted himself to getting the best and the most work out of his men. By his personal example in continually supervising and assisting the work of sections and the platoon as a whole, he encouraged his men through the trying work of hauling Field Artillery Guns out of impassable places where horse teams had failed. His coolness under fire set an example to his men and enabled them to get many guns forward under trying conditions and his experience enabled him to extricate his men from dangerous positions. His conduct throughout was a splendid example to his men.'
Source: London Gazette
Date: 28 January 1918