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Auction: 22101 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 422

A Battle of Loos M.M. group of five awarded to Quartermaster-Sergeant J. W. Barker, 1/5th London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, a veteran of the Territorial Force who was decorated for his bravery in leading a search team through a barrage of shells and gas, but suddenly dropped dead of a suspected cerebral haemorrhage immediately after a parade on 22 May 1917

Military Medal, G.V.R. (281 Q. M. Sjt.: J. W. Barker. 5/Lond: F.A. R.A.M.C.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (281. Q. M. Sjt. J. W. Barker, R.A.M.C); British War and Victory Medals (281 W.O. Cl. 2. J. W. Barker. R.A.M.C.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (281 S.Sjt. J. W. Barker. 5/Lond: F.A. R.A.M.C.), contact marks, minor edge bruising, nearly very fine (5)

M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1916.

John Williams Barker was born at Greenwich, London in 1884, the son of David and Elizabeth Barker of Greenwich. Prior to the war he worked as a bricklayer and was also a member of Ambulance Corps and the Royal Army Medical Corps (Territorial Force). Barker was an experienced member of the Corps, serving with them for seventeen years before the war - indeed he was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal in 1913. Having been embodied for service Barker entered the war in France on 14 March 1915 with the rank of Quartermaster Serjeant. Barker's unit was involved in the earliest stages of the campaign, seeing combat at Aubers, Festubert and Loos. It was during this last engagement that Barker won his M.M., a report on the action states:

'No officer to take charge of section except myself until Capt. Jordan's return at 2 p.m. I sent S/Sgt. Barker out in charge of a party at 8:30 a.m. This party was heavily shelled by shells which I saw bursting over the trenches which I had been instructed to search. Later they were gassed slightly but continued to work until 1 p.m. when I sent them back to dinner. Three bearers, Pte's Fair, Barker and Bone were severely gassed and had to be carried in.'

Barker continued to serve throughout the Battle of the Somme, surviving actions at Vimy Ridge, Flers-Courcelette and High Wood as well as the attack on the Butte de Warlencourt in October. The unit paraded on 22 May 1917 with Barker present as usual, during which it was noted that he appeared in good health - however upon leaving the parade ground he collapsed. Despite the presence of a Medical Officer, Barker died of a cerebral haemorrhage within minutes and was buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery. He was survived by his wife Mary Barker of 34 St. Fillans Road, Catford, London; sold together with copied photographs and research including M.I.C., Commonwealth War Graves details and award lists for the 1/5th London Field Ambulance as well as information on the actions undertaken by that unit and an extract from their War Diary covering the Battle of Loos.

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Sold for
£600

Starting price
£200