WILLIAM BARKER
Born: 1882, Ipswich.
Died: 3rd May 1919; age 37; at the Ipswich & East Suffolk Hospital, Suffolk.
Residence: 9, Spring Road, Ipswich.
Rank: Corporal; Service Number: 69716.
Regiment: Tank Corps Depot.
Grave Reference:
X.3.6.
Ipswich.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Everett Barker, of 9, Spring Road, Ipswich & the late William Barker.
CENSUS
1891 9, Arthur Street, Ipswich.
William was 8 years old and living with his parents, siblings & maternal aunt.
William Barker, 29, a Bricklayer, born Ipswich.
Everett Vetina Barker (nee Palmer), 30, born Ipswich.
Matilda Barker, 6, born Ipswich.
Rosina Barker, 4, born Ipswich.
Arthur Barker, 1, born Ipswich.
Ellen Palmer, 16, a Staymaker – Dress, born Ipswich.
1901 23, Pottery Street, Ipswich.
William was 18 years old, a Bricklayer. He was living with his parents & siblings.
William, 39, a Bricklayer.
Everett, 40.
Rose, 14, a Dressmaker Apprentice.
Arthur, 11.
Sydney Barker, 6, born Ipswich.
Dorothy Barker, 2, born Ipswich.
1911 42, Tovells Road, Ipswich.
William was 28 years old, a Bricklayer. He was living with his widowed mother & siblings.
Everett, 50.
Arthur, 21, a Bricklayer.
Sydney, 16, an Apprentice – Gas Fitting.
Dorothy, 12.
William’s father William Barker died, 1905, Ipswich.
Probate to Everett Barker – mother.
The Royal Tank Corps
The Tank Corps was formed from the Heavy Branch MGC (Machine Gun Corps) who first used converted to armored cars. Tanks were a new secret weapon designed to break the stalemate of trench warfare on the western front. Each Tank Battalion had a complement of 32 officers and 374 men. On 15th September 1916. 36 Mark 1 tanks were first used in the Somme offensive using tanks of C and D Companies. Many lessons were learnt with little gain and heavy casualties. The first real success came in 1917 at the Battle of Cambrai France with a more coordinated attack with large gains.
4 Victoria Crosses were awarded to the Tank Corps over the course of the war.
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