Allen Noel Birkett Barker
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Allen Noel Birkett Barker, known as Noel, was the fourth of the five children (four sons, one daughter) of parents Tom Birkett Barker a Justice of the Peace and Marian Martha née Allen. He was the second son to be killed – the eldest brother, Holroyd Birkett Barker, having died in August 1917. The two other brothers, Fred Ronald (1890-1954) and Greville (1893-1968), were both wounded during the war. Noel was born in Acocks Green in 1891 and baptised at St Margaret’s Church, Olton on 25th March 1892 his father Tom was born in 1852 at Lapworth, his mother Mariann Martha Allen was born in 1855 at Lapworth, they were married in 1885 at West Bromwich. By 1901, the family had moved to Dorridge, moving to The Croft, Lapworth by 1911 and remaining there until the 1930s. Noel was educated at Arden Lawn School, Henley-in-Arden, and at Warwick and Shrewsbury Schools. He also attended the Ecole Central Technique in Brussels In the 1911 census his family are living at Lapworth Croft, Lapworth, Tom Birkett Barker 58 yrs is a J>P he is living with his wife Marian Martha 56 yrs and their children, Holroyd 24 yrs a solicitor, Vertie 22 yrs and Grevill 17 yrs, also at the address are two servants.
Allen Noel Birkett Barker served as Noel Birkett Barker, he enlisted at Birmingham whilst residing at West Bridgford, Nottingham he served with the Royal Garrison Artillery, He arrived in France with his regiment on 1st October 1915 and died at 42 Casualty Clearing Station on 12th September 1918 as a result of wounds received in Aubigny, in Artois, France. He is buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension
CWGC headstone personal inscription: ''Beloved & honoured far as he was known' Wordsworth'Nottingham Rowing Club archive. 'In memoriam' card: 'In proud and loving memory of Allaen (sic) Noel Birkett Barker, Sergeant 66th Brigade RGA, died of wounds received in action in the 42nd Casualty Clearing Station in his 25th year, 12 September 1918, buried at Aubigney, near Arras France. He gave his life a ransom for many.' On the reverse of the letter is added, ‘his colonel writes us …’ (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. DD/865/67/20-21)Extract from a letter dated 3 March 1919 from Allan’s father, J Birkett-Barker of The Croft, Lapworth, Warwickshire, to the secretary of the Nottingham Rowing Club in response to the invitation to the club’s memorial service at Nottingham St Mary’s in February 1919. The letter was inserted in the Club’s minute book: ‘I would like in some way to perpetuate the memory of my dear son’s affection for the Nottingham Rowing Club and its members by presenting a cup or bowl or shield to be competed for annually with some sort of (-) or replica as the case might be of the value of, say, £5 to the successful competitor. ‘ The letter went on that he expected his son, Lieut Greville Birkett-Barker, to be in Nottingham after he had been demobilized and to join the club ‘as he too is a boating (-) and will, I hope, worthily fill the place of his dearly loved brother whose loss we all ceaselessly mourn.’ (Nottinghamshire Archives, ref. DD/865/1/10, NRC Minute Book 1912-1919)Photographs of 21 members of the Rowing Club, including Allen Barker, who died in the war are held in Nottinghamshire Archives (ref. DD865/65/1-21). The photograph shows Allen in casual clothes, possibly the kit he wore for rowing, and was probably taken before the war (DD865/65/3).
