Pte 16351 Joseph Barker

• Age: 33
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 13th January 1916
• Commemorated at: Bronfay Farm Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: I.B.29

Joseph was born on the 22^nd June 1882, the son of Joseph, a watchmaker and jeweller, and his wife Catherine (nee Flower). They married at Our Lady and St Nicholas Church, Liverpool on 03rd August 1879. Joseph junior was baptised in St. Peter’s Church, Liverpool on the 10^th July 1882. 

The 1891 Census finds the family living at Victoria Road, Garston. Joseph junior is 9 years of age and lives with his parents and four siblings. His father, Joseph, is 36 years of age, born in Liverpool and a watch maker, whilst his mother is 34 years of age and was also born in Liverpool. His siblings are listed as; Richard 10, Robert 7, Noah 5 and Ethel 2.

The Census of 1901 shows Joseph, now aged 18 and employed as a gardener, living with his parents and 7 other children at 3 Victoria Road, now described as Aigburth Vale, Liverpool. His father is shown as a 45 year old watch maker and jeweller, his mother is now 43. His siblings are listed as; Richard aged 20 and a plumber's apprentice, Robert 16 and a joiners apprentice, Noah 14, a jeweller's apprentice, Ethel 11, George H. 9, Isabella 7 and Sarah Ann 4.

In the 1911 Census the family are still living at 3 Victoria Road, when Joseph, aged 28 is said to be a domestic gardener. His parents are still living in the household, Joseph, is aged 56, a watchmaker, Catherine is 54 years old, they state that they have been married for 31 years and have had 9 children of whom 8 have survived. Those present in the household are listed as; Richard now 30 and a plumber, Robert 26 is a joiner builder, Noah 23 is a shipping clerk, Ethel 21, Isabella 17 and Sarah 15.

Joseph was a keen amateur footballer with Valkyrie in the I Zingari League and also had a trial for Liverpool FC.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

He was killed in action on 13th January 1916, aged 33, whilst serving with No 1 Company less than 2 months later, earning his 3 medals.

His death was recorded in the Liverpool  Echo on 26^th January 1916:

“VALKYRIE FOOTBALLER KILLED

A photograph of Joseph Barker, who was killed at the front whilst serving his country with the 2^nd Battalion Liverpool Pals.  Barker was well known amongst I Zingari League footballers.  During his time he played for Valkyrie, and he also had a trial game with the Liverpool Football Club.  He was a fine gymnast, having won many medals at this sport. 

“Captain Brockbank has written Mrs Barker the following letter: - ‘I am afraid I am the bearer of sad news to you.  Your dear son was killed last night instantaneously by a shrapnel bullet from a shell which burst over the wood.  I was with him immediately after it happened, but nothing could be done.  He was not disfigured – a slight wound through the head.  I knew your son well, as he was in my platoon before I took charge of the company.  Quiet, and always a gentleman, he was liked and respected by everyone who knew him.  We can ill afford to lose such men, and I offer you my deepest sympathy.  God’s ways are sometimes hard to understand, but you have the satisfaction of knowing that your son died doing his duty.  He never gave a moment’s trouble the whole time he was in the Army. – With deepest sympathy, yours very sincerely, W. Brockbank, O.C. No. 1 Company.’”

His death was also reported in the Liverpool Weekly Courier on Saturday 29 January 1916: 

Footballers Fate. 

Mrs K. Barker of 3 Victoria Road, Aigburth, has received notification of the death of her son, Joseph, who was killed on the 13th inst. whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion of the “Pals.” In acquainting Mrs Barker with the news, Captain Brockbank, officer commanding No. 1 company, states that the casualty was caused by a shrapnel bullet. Captain Brockbank, who was with the deceased immediately after the casualty occurred, said nothing could be done. He was not disfigured, only a slight wound showing in the head. The officer says that private Barker was always a gentleman, and was liked and respected by everyone who knew him. “God's ways”, adds Captain Brockbank “are sometimes hard to understand, but you have the satisfaction of knowing that your son died doing his duty. He never gave a moment to trouble the whole time he was in the army.” Private Barker who was well known in local football circles. He played for Valkyrie in the 1 Zingari Football League and had a trial game with Liverpool. He was also a fine gymnast won many medals in this direction. Prior to joining the regiment, when the “Pals” were formed, he was second gardener for Sir William Tate of Highfield, Woolton.

Initially his widowed mother was given the wrong location for his grave (which transpired to be that of an unidentified soldier) but on 14^th March 1922 his burial place was confirmed as Bernafay Farm Military Cemetery, 4.5 miles south-east of Albert, Grave No. I B 29. His mother received his medals, plaque and scroll.

His headstone inscription reads:

“AT REST”

The cemetery was begun by French troops in October 1914, but little used by them. It was used by Commonwealth troops from August 1915 to February 1917, particularly during the Battle of the Somme, when the XIV Corps Main Dressing station was at the farm. During the retreat and advance of 1918, further burials were made and after the Armistice, graves of March, August and September 1918 were brought in from the fields between Bronfay Farm and Bray.

Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery contains 537 burials and commemorations of the First World War. 13 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to two casualties believed to be buried among them.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

The CWGC shows age 31 but given his age on enlistment is 32 and 36 days and that he was born in June 1882, he would have been 33.  

Joseph is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Hall of Remembrance, Liverpool Town Hall Panels 11 Left and 14 Right

Garston Roll of Honour,

Aigburth People’s Hall

St. Anne’s C of E Church, Aigburth

The family suffered further tragedy when his brother Robert also fell. He was serving as Private 260039 in the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment when he was killed in action on the 31^stJuly 1917. This was the opening day of the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele). Robert is commemorated on the Menin Gate, at Ypres in Belgium.

Robert is commemorated in the Hall of Remembrance in Liverpool Town Hall at Panel 13 Left 

In Memoriam notices in respect of Joseph and Robert were placed in the Liverpool Echo on 14^th January 1918:

Roll of Honour.  

Barker – In loving memory of my dear brother, Private Joseph Barker, K.L.R., killed January 13, 1916. (Ever remembered by Dick and Meg) – 30 Malvern Road, Fairfield.

Barker – January 13 1916, killed in action, Private Joseph Barker, dearly beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Barker, of 3 Victoria Road, Aigburth.  Also, in loving memory of Robert, killed in action July 31 1917. 

God called you home, our loved ones,

Because He saw it best,

From the dreadful maw of battle

To the land of peace and rest.

Never forgotten by Mother, Father, and Family

We currently have no further information on Joseph Barker, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.