No.G/53994, Private, Edward BARKER
Aged 19
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Edward Barker was born in Troston in 1899 (Thingoe Q1-1899 4A:865), son of George and Sarah Ann BARKER (née GLADWELL).
1901 census...Aged 2, he was at The Heath, Troston with his father George BARKER [53] farm labourer born Wattisfield; his mother Sarah [46] born in Rattlesden; brothers Frank [14] and Charles [8]; sisters Nellie [12] and Kate [10]. The children were all born in Troston. 1911 census...Aged 12, he was at Troston Heath with his parents, brother Charles and sisters Kate and Maud [8] born Troston. One sibling of 8 had died. The pension card has his mother at 7 Troston Heath. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. Although in the Middlesex regiment he is shown as attached to the 19th (St Pancras) Battalion, London Regiment so this is their war diary entry for the 22nd August 1918. "Battn HQ moved to Battle HQ at 3 am. Coys in assembly position by 3:45 am during heavy enemy bombardment but without difficulty. Fine on ??. Attack launched at 4:45 am in a heavy mist caused by the bombardment raising heavy clouds of dust and smoke. Bn HQ moved to [62d} K.6.b.6.2. at 9:30 am. After objective reached (about 8 am) the 142nd Inf Bde passed through to take 2nd objective. This they did but were unable to hold it and returned through our lines at about 3 pm owing to heavy shelling and counter attack. At dusk our line was forced to withdraw owing to heavy fire and fell back to a line 100 yards west of ALBERT-BRAY road, which line was consolidated and held. After dark the line was re-organised and divided between 141 and 140 Inf Bde, two battns of the latter being sent up to re-inforce. Another source has him with the Middlesex Regt near Ypres when killed, but since his body was found in the area of Bray, this version above would seem to be more accurate. Edward was exhumed by the French and re-interred in Bray Military Cemetery on 19th July 1919. The French moved a whole group of London Regiment men in the Bray area at that time. The Battalion HQ position recorded above photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
