Background
He was born in Killeavy in County Armagh to farmer Jonathan Barclay and Alice Turner.
He was born in Killeavy in County Armagh to farmer Jonathan Barclay and Alice Turner.
On his return he was a soldier settler at Red Cliffs, where he grew dried fruit. He returned to the armed forces during World World War II, and before and after that conflict was president of the local Returned and Services League. In 1947 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the Country Party member for Mildura.
He was defeated in 1952, and served on Mildura Shire Council from 1953 to 1962, with a period as president from 1958 to 1959.
He returned to the Legislative Assembly in 1955 and served until his death at East Melbourne in 1962.