WILLIAM GEORGE BARKER

IPSWICH WAR MEMORIAL | Posted on 4th February 2016 |

Picture courtesy of Operation: Picture Me

Born: 24th May 1879, Ipswich.

Died: 4th July 1917; age 38; KiA – Vimy Sector – This non-commissioned officer was in charge of a general service wagon going to the Battery, when an enemy shell exploded in the air just above the wagon, pieces hitting him in the shoulder. He died while being carried to the dressing station a few yards away. Served two years at the Front.

Toronto Telegram – July 1917 – BOMBARDIER WILLIAM G. BARKER – Bombardier William George Barker, of 773, Richmond Street, West Toronto, is reported killed in action. He enlisted at the beginning of the war and had been at the Front for over two years. His wife is cheerfully hoping that there may be some mistake, and that her husband is still alive. He was 44 years old, born in England, and had been living in Canada for ten years, during which time he had been in the building business.

Cable sent to Ottawa – 13th July 1917. No next of kin was initially found.

Residence: 773, Richmond Street, West Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Occupation: Scaffolder.

Enlistment Details: Location: Valcartier, Quebec, Canada; date: 23rd September 1914; age: 35 years & 4 months; religion: CofE. Next of Kin: Mrs. W.G. Barker. Height: 5ft & 6 ins, fair complexion, blue eyes & greyish brown hair. Signed up for the duration of the war + 6 months after the war.

Embarked: Avonmouth – 11th February 1915.

Promoted Corporal – in the field – 23rd April 1915.

Reverts to ranks at own request – in the field – 1st July 1916.

Promoted Bombardier – 5th January 1916.

Rank: Bombardier; Service Number: 42438

Regiment: Canadian Field Artillery, 3rd Battalion.

Formerly 24th Battery, Royal Field Artillery – 12 years.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.

Grave Reference:

II.D.17.

La Targette British Cemetery,

Neuville-St.-Vaast,

Pas de Calais,

France.

CENSUS

1881 Upper Dyke Street, St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.

William was 8 years old and living with his parents and brothers.

Samuel Barker, 54, a Bricklayer, born Ashfield, Suffolk.

Elizabeth Barker (nee Hancer), 38, born Wenhaston, Suffolk.

Walter Samuel Barker, 21, a Baker, born Halesworth, Suffolk.

George Barker, 14, a Baker’s Boy, born Ipswich.

Robert Abraham Barker, 12, born Ipswich.

1 boarder.

1891 51, St. George’s Street, Ipswich.

William was 17 years old and a Baker employed by his brother Walter, a bread baker and confectioner – own account, of 70 & 72, St. George’s Street, Ipswich – brother George was also employed by Walter as a baker.

Samuel, a General Shopkeeper.

Elizabeth, 48.

Robert, 22, a Warehouseman – Grocer.

1901 56, Richmond Road, Ipswich.

William was 27 years old and a Life Assurance Agent. He was married and head of the household.

Elizabeth, 21.

1911 17, Portland Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

William was 35 years old and a House Building Labourer. He was married and head of the household.

Elizabeth, 37.

Robert, 7 months.

3 lodgers.

On the 6^th May 1896, at the Register Office, Ipswich, 22 year old William, a Baker, of 70, St. George’s Street, Ipswich married 22 year old Elizabeth Buckle, a domestic servant of 32, Silent Street, Ipswich, born 1873, Ipswich – daughter of the late Albert Buckle, a grocer’s assistant, and Elizabeth Buckle (nee Bantick), a laundress – own account, of 33, Bramford Road, Ipswich.

Elizabeth’s widowed sister, Sarah Catherine Jay (nee Buckle) and Sarah’s brother-in-law witnessed the marriage.

Elizabeth and William had one son:

Robert Barker, born November 1910, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

William and Elizabeth immigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1906.

Personal effects to Mrs. Elizabeth Barker, of 16, Portland Street, Toronto, Ontario; later of 773, Richmond Street, West Toronto, Ontario.