Reginald Horace Barker
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Reginald Horace was the son of John Thomas and Annie Barker (née Clowes). His father was born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, in 1870, the son of Timothy and Sarah Barker, and was baptised in Loughborough (probably at Holy Trinity) on 3 July 1870. In 1891 John (20), a baker, was living with his parents and five siblings, including his brother Albert Edward (19), a butcher's apprentice, in Loughborough. His mother Annie was born on 21 June 1873 at Woodhouse, Leicestershire. In 1881 aged 17 she was a general domestic servant in the household of Oliver Brown and his family in Quorndon, Leicestershire, John (24) and Annie (21) were married on 27 June 1894 at Quorndon parish church; the banns had also been read at Loughborough Holy Trinity, the parish in which they were both living. They had four children, three of whom survived infancy: Reginald Horace b. Loughborough 1895, Albert Ernest b. Loughborough birth registered 1897 (J/F/M), and Arthur Bryan b. Beeston 30 June 1908. In 1901 John, a grocer on his own account, Annie and their sons Horace (5) and Albert (3) were living at 72 Fisher Street, Sneinton, Nottingham, which was also the premises of their grocer's shop. John and Annie had returned to Loughborough by 1911 where they lived at 40 Leopold Street. John was a master baker and Annie was assisting in the business, Reginald was a printer's apprentice (Loughborough Echo) and Albert a house painter's assistant. The youngest son, Arthur, was two years old. The family later moved to 22 Mona Street, Beeston, and John and Annie were still living at the same address when John died on 10 June 1933. In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled, Annie was living in Eastleigh, Hampshire, with her son Arthur, a chemist's assistant, and his wife. Arthur had married Vera Mary Osland Hill (b. 30 August 1909) in 1934 (J/A/S Winchester Hants). Annie was still living in Eastleigh when she died on 18 February 1941. Arthur died at Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, on 9 June 1991; his wife predeceased him.
Reginald Barker had previously served in the Territorial Force (1/5th Leicestershire, Private) and transferred to embodied service in August 1914. He was shot and killed by a sniper on 29 June 1917 while leading his platoon in France. His younger brother Albert, of the same regiment, sent the news to his parents. Reginald has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France (Bay 7).
His brother Albert Ernest also served in the 1/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters (265187 Private) and died of wounds in hospital on 16 October 1917. He is buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery. (See record on this Roll of Honour) WMR14738: Loughborough Carillon Tower, Queen’s Park, Granby Street, Loughborough LE11 3BJ. Arthur and Reginald are commemorated on this memorial. Lougborough Echo, 13 July 1917: ‘Former ‘Echo’ Employee. Mr and Mrs A Barker of 22 Moira (sic)-street, Beeston, have received unofficial intimation that their eldest son, Sergt. Horace Barker, of the Sherwood Foresters, was fatally shot by a sniper on June 30th (sic), as he was leading his platoon into action. The news was first conveyed in a letter from the younger son, Albert, who is in the same regiment, and since then the Sergt.-Major has also written. Sergt. H Barker, he was 22 years of age, was mobilised in August, 1914, as a private with the Territorials, and since then he has taken part in several important engagements. He was well-known in the town, where his parents were in business before removing to Beeston, and before being transferred to the Sherwood Foresters he was some years ago a member of the 1/5th Leicestershire Territorials. At the time of mobilisation he was working as an apprentice at the ‘Echo’ Works, Loughborough, It is understood that shortly before the date of his reported death, Sergt. Barker had received instructions to return to England in order to take a commission.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Loughborough Echo, ‘Roll of Honour’, 27 July 1917: ‘Barker. Killed in action, June 30th, 1917, Sergt. Horace Barker,Sherwood Foresters, eldest son of JT and A Barker, 22 Mona-street, Beeston. He was the soul of honour, so brave and true. Dearly loved by his Mother, Father, little Arthur, Albert (in France) and Jennie.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Loughborough Echo, 26 October 1917 (extract): ‘The Second Son. In the push last week Pte Albert Barker was killed as he was one of the leaders of the Notts and Derby in the attack. His parents formerly lived on Leopold-street, and a few weeks ago [29 June 1917] their elder son, Horace, ‘passed beyond the Soldiers’ Gate.’ Very comforting letters have been received by Mrs Barker from the Chaplain and the Captain of the company.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his father was his legatee. Probate: Barker John Thomas of 22 Mona-street Beeston Nottinghamshire died 10 June 1933 Probate Nottingham 1 September to Albert Edward Barker [brother] gardener and William Thomas Glennister solicitor’s clerk. Effects £2830 Probate: Barker Annie of 193 Leigh Road Eastleigh Hampshire widow died 18 February 1941 Administration Nottingham 19 April to Arthur Bryan Barker chemists assistant.Effects £129 17s. 3d. '
