Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Arthur Barker a bricklayer, born in the October quarter of 1855 in Castle Donington, Leicestershire (son of Joseph Barker, 1802-1881 and Ann Yeomans, 1823-1892) and his wife Mary Barker (nee Webster, married in the April quarter of 1878 in the Shardlow, Derbyshire district), born in the January quarter of 1859 in Castle Donington and baptised on the 20th February 1859 in the Church of St. Edward King & Martyr, Castle Donington (daughter of Esther Webster, 1832). Fred was born in the April quarter of 1894 in Castle Donington, his siblings were, David, a bricklayer, born on the 31st January 1879, George Edwin, a carter’s labourer, born in the October quarter of 1880, Cissy, a hosiery trade worker, born in the October quarter of 1882, Arthur, a baker’s assistant, born on the 16th November 1884, Mary, a hosiery trade worker, born on the 30th May 1886, John Yeomans, a schoolboy, born on the 29th May 1888, Annie, a schoolgirl, born on the 18th September 1890, Ellen Yeomans, a schoolgirl, born in the April quarter of 1892, Archibald, a schoolboy, born on the 9th February 1896 and Esther Ruth, born in the April quarter of 1899, all his siblings were born in Castle Donington, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Apes Gate, Castle Donington.
Fred’s father died aged 54 years in the July quarter of 1910 in Castle Donington.
In April 1911 Fred was employed as a labourer and was residing in the family home at Clapgun Street, Castle Donington, together with his widowed mother and siblings, David, a bricklayer, George, a labourer, Cissy (Cissie), a hosiery trade worker, Mary, a hosiery trade overlocker, John, a fettler, Ellen (Nellie), a hosiery trade worker, Archibald, a hosiery trade worker and Esther, a schoolgirl.
Fred’s elder brother John, died on the 23rd October 1916 from wounds received in action.
Fred enlisted/attested into the Regular Army on the 14th September 1914 in Loughborough, and was allotted the regimental service number 15045. He gave his place of birth as Castle Donington, Derby, Leicestershire and age as 20 years 6 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as labourer.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 20 years 6 months, height 5-feet 8 inches weight [not recorded] lbs, chest measurement of between 35 and 38 inches his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown normal eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, nil. He gave his religion as Baptist.
He was certified as fit for the Army. Date 14th September 1914. Place Loughborough.
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Mary barker, brother Archie Barker, sister Nellie Barker, Clapgun Street, Castle Donington.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Joined. At Leicester. 14/9/14.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 15/9/14.
Posted. To 8th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 29/9/14.
Posted. To 9th (Service) Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 28/9/14.
Appointed. Lance Corporal vice Young (unpaid). 9/6/15.
Embarked. 29/7/15.
Appointed. Lance Corporal (paid). In the Field. 9/12/15.
Killed in action. Place not stated. In the Field. 14/7/16.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 14/9/14 – 28/7/15. 318 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 29/7/15 - 14/7/16. 252 days,
Total Service. 1 year 305 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 - FRICOURT. Battalion moved off at 12.15am and moved up to the southern edge of MAMETZ WOOD. Fairly heavy shelling. They reached the reserve position MAMETZ WOOD 500 yards west of the front edge at 3.20am just as intense bombardment of German trenches began, and either went into existing trenches or dug in. At 5.20am “B” Company (Captain ANDERSON) and 1 platoon of “A” Company moved over to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD to reinforce the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT They finally reached the north of the wood of village and as far as possible dug themselves in. They were mixed up with the 6th, 7th and 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Heavy casualties including all Company officers. At 6.00am remainder of “A” Company moved to German 1st line trench and started to consolidate it. 2 platoons of “C” Company taken to Brigade Headquarters for carrying. At 8.15am Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with “D” Company and ½ of “C” Company moved to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG had orders to take over defence on the north western and western edge of the wood which was being heavily shelled. At 8.45am “D” Company (Lieutenant NOLAN) directed on the north western corner of the wood to clear wood and dig in on the edge. 2 platoons of “C” Company in support trench with Battalion Headquarters. Between 9.00am and 12.00 noon “D” Company met with heavy opposition and reached forward support line but failed to clear wood. Lieutenant NOLAN was killed. Lieutenant de LISLE and Lieutenant SMITH were wounded. Between 12.00 noon and 3.00pm Germans threatened counter attack, very heavy shelling of all lines. “A” Company brought to Battalion Headquarters and 2 platoons sent to reinforce 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. At 12.00 noon Colonel KUMME, 2 officers and 30 men captured by “D” Company. Between 4.00pm and 7.00pm Brigadier came and ordered all available men to attack the north western edge of the wood. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain EMMETT and 2nd Lieutenant STEPHENS with about 50 men advanced roping in about 100 men of 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT as supports. Captain EMMETT with 40 men reached the north western edge of the wood and killed 4 German observers and attempted to charge the German trenches 50 yards from the edge of the wood. Captain EMMETT and 36 men were killed by machine gun fire. Meanwhile Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT and a few of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had reached the railway line and came under enfilade machine gun fire (Lieutenant STEPHENS was killed). The edge of the wood close to the village was cleared and a small drive was organised towards Captain EMMETT’S party. They came under heavy sniping fire and Lieutenant HINCKLEY was wounded and most of his men killed or wounded. 7.00pm all posts started consolidating where they were. Patrols sent out constantly from the strong posts. Rough positions as below (On the Battalion Diary page a rough sketch shows the positions of the Companies) Between 9.00pm and 11.00pm heavy shelling and enemy rifle fire but no actual organised attack.
On Wednesday October 25th, 1916, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 4, under the heading. – LOCAL CASUALTY LISTS. – The death took place of Sergt. John Harker, in hospital, at Birmingham, on Monday. Sergt. Harker, whose brother Fred fell in action in France a few months ago, had been promoted from the rank of private for special efficiency, was severely wounded in action, and was brought to England, where an amputation was found to be necessary. The operation was successful, and the patient made a hopeful rally, but this was followed by a sudden relapse. The body has been taken to Castle Donington for internment. Sergeant Harker was married only a few months ago.
On the 6th March 1917, Fred’s mother Mrs. Mary Barker, of Clapgun Street, Castle Donington, near Derby was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of three shillings, this was further increased on the 6th November 1918 to five shillings.
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