JOHN BARKER 

John Barker was born in Birkenhead, in 1879, the son of John E. Barker, and Rebecca Barker. His father was born in Great Sutton, and in 1901, was employed as a Drayman, and his mother had been born in Rock Ferry, in 1856. John Barker had an older sister, Rebecca Barker (born in 1877), and also a younger sister, Emma Barker (born in 1880). Rebecca Barker (Jnr) was employed as a Domestic Servant, and both John and Emma Barker were still at school. John Barker (Jnr) married his wife, Rose, in 1907, and had 2 daughters – Rose Barker (born in 1907), and Rebecca Barker (born in 1909), and was employed as a Rigger in a shore gang for the Ocean Steamship Company.

 

On 24th November 1914, John Barker enlisted at Birkenhead, into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and on completion of his training was sent to France on 18th December 1915. He was subsequently posted to 1st Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and he continued to serve with this battalion until he was killed in action on 28th August 1916, in his battalion’s attack on Ale Alley, near Delville Wood. His body was never recovered and identified from the battlefield, and is therefore commemorated by name only on Pier 4, Face A, The Thiepval Memorial, France.




Family application form requesting John to be added to the Birkenhead War Memorial.


Researched and compiled by Peter Threlfall.