Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John William Barker, a painter and decorator, born 1857 in Leicester and his wife Sarah Ann Barker (nee Billington, married in the 2nd quarter of 1878 in the Leicester district), born 1857 in Belgrave, Leicester. John Edward, a schoolboy, was born in the 1st quarter of 1882 in Leicester, his siblings were, Nellie, a schoolgirl, born 1879, Roland George, a schoolboy, born 1884 and Constance Maud, born 1887, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1891 the family home was in Belvoir Street, Leicester. In March 1901 John was absent from the family home at Denbigh House, Stanley Road, Elmfield Avenue, Leicester, residing there was his father, a painter and decorator, his mother and siblings, Nellie, a shop assistant, Roland, a schoolboy, Constance and Sidney Eric R., born 1892 in Leicester. In April 1911 John was absent from the family home at Denbigh House, Elmfield Avenue, Leicester, residing there was his father, a painter and decorator, his mother and siblings, Constance and Sidney, a plumber and glazier, John was employed as a general decorator and was residing in the family home at 53, Lyme Road, Leicester together with his wife Norah Barker (nee Fowler, married in the 1st quarter of 1910 in the Leicester district), born 1886 in Moorby, Lincolnshire. John had been a Freemason and was a member of the St Martin’s Lodge No 3431, having been initiated on the 13th April 1910.
John attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve on the 30th November 1899 in Glasgow, Scotland. He gave his place of birth as Leicester, his age as 18 years and his trade or calling as painter. He stated that he was unmarried. He gave his father John Edward, of 3, Belvoir Street, Leicester as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7½ inches in height, weighed 131 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 35½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had blue eyes. There were no visible marks or vaccination marks. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 30th November 1899 in Glasgow. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders at Stirling as a Private, service number 7163 on the 30/11/1899. Posted to the Depot on the 30/11/1899. Posted to the 1st Battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders on the 21/2/00. Appointed Lance Corporal on the 29/5/00. Promoted to Corporal on the 8/1/01. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders on the 8/1/01. Awarded the 2nd Class Army Certificate of Education on the 8/4/02. Discharged on the 13/3/03. A summary of his service records: Home Service. 30/9/1899 – 7/11/01, 1 year 348 days. India, 8/11/01 – 13/3/03, 1 year 126 days. Total service 3 years 104 days.
John attested into the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 2220, first entering the theatre of war on the 2nd March 1915 and attained the rank of Sergeant before being granted a commission on the 24th July 1915. Rejoining his Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant he lost his life during operations at the Hohenzollern Redoubt between the 13th and 14th October 1915. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 12 Oct-15 - At 9.00 am Battalion marched to SAILLY LABOURSE. Dinners and teas were cooked here. Rations for 134 men issued. At 5.15 pm Battalion marched to VERMELLES where stores were taken up. At 11.00 pm Battalion arrived in trenches.
The War Diary records: 13 Oct-15 - At noon our artillery started to bombard. At 1.00pm our smoke and gas started. At 1.50pm smoke and gas stopped. At 2.00pm artillery lifted and Battalion assaulted the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT. Lieutenant Colonel R. E. MARTIN was wounded early but remained in the fire trench directing operations for nearly 24 hours and until -?- to the dressing station by Brigadier General KEMP. All officers of the Battalion either killed or wounded.
The War Diary records: 14 Oct-15 - In the evening the Battalion was relieved by part of the 139th Brigade and went back to the LANCASHIRE TRENCH. Roll call revealed that 188 NCO’s and men returned.
The Official History of the War – Military Operations (France and Belgium 1915 Volume II) provided the following statistics for the 1/4th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, officers killed 20, other ranks killed 453. Total losses for the day were 138th Brigade 64 officers and 1,476 other ranks. 137th Brigade 68 officers and 1,478 other ranks.
The Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys published a Roll of Honour on the 31st January 1920 in which an entry appeared showing that he had been a pupil at the school between 1893 and 1896. It also recorded that he was killed in action during the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, in which 13 other fellow pupils also perished.
On Wednesday, October 20th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – WOUNDED AND MISSING. – Mr. John William Barker, of “Firwood,” Knighton Park-road, received a telegram from the War Office yesterday stating that his son, Lieut. JOHN EDWARD BARKER, 1st/4th Leicester’s, is missing and believed wounded. Mr. Alfred Corah, of Scraptoft Hall, has received a similar telegram with reference to his son, Captain CORAH.