The birth of Bernard was registered in Brentford, Middlesex in 1897 (Jul-Sep 3a 1532). The 1901 census shows him as a 3 year old living at 36 Antrobus Road, Acton with his parents. Allison his father, a 30 year old piano forte tuner, married Caroline Whittenbury (Carrie) late 1896.
By 1905, the electoral register records them as living at 199 High Street, Harlesden. Also by 1905/6 Bernard had two brothers William and Leonard. The electoral register of 1909 shows them as living at 13 Merton Avenue, Chiswick.
By the time of the 1911 census, things have gone wrong for the Barker family. Bernard is recorded as living at his aunt and uncles, William (70) and Sarah (58) Virgo at ‘Moat House,’ Park View Road, Welling. Bernard is 13 years old. Also living at this address is the Virgo’s servant, a Miss Annie Thomson (30).
Further investigation of the 1911 census shows Carrie Barker (now 33) still living at 13 Merton Avenue, Chiswick with Bernard’s younger brothers William (Willie) aged 9 and Leonard aged 5. Also living there is Carrie’s younger sister Annie Whittenbury (32). They have also taken in lodgers, possibly due to Allison’s absence, a Harold Todd (28) and Mrs Caroline Mary Worts (42). They also have a visitor that night, a Miss Minnie Bird (45).
Going back to the 1911 census again, the unfortunate Allison (this time described as “late pianoforte tuner”) is living with his father George (73), a retired pianoforte maker, and mother Eliza (73) at Garden Reach, Wynn Road, Tankerton, Whitstable, Kent. The right hand column on the census, that records infirmities, shows Allison as being a “Lunatic” since he was 39 years old. This was a rather sweeping description and covered a multitude of conditions from cerebral palsy to the truly insane. It is likely that Allison had some medical condition such as a stroke or severe mental breakdown because he died on 12th March 1912. The National Probate Calendar records his estate thus:
BARKER Allison of Garden Reach, Wynne-road (sic) Tankerton KENT died 12 March 1912 Administration London 6 June to Caroline Barker widow. Effects £489 16s. 8d.
Bernard was 14 years old, his brothers Willie and Leonard were 10 and 6 respectively.
On the 10th November 1915 eighteen year old Bernard Barker answered his country’s call to arms and signed on, joining the 2/1st Battalion Honourable Artillery Company at Armoury House, Finsbury, E.C.1. His medical records state that he was 5’ 8” tall, chest 33” with 3” expansion and “fair” physical development. He was assigned the regimental no. 4935. In April 1916 he fell ill and was admitted to Lewisham Military Hospital on the 13th suffering from influenza. He was discharged on the 5th of March, 21 days later.
Further study of his military record shows;
- 1/10/16 Embarked at Southampton
- 3/10/16 Disembarked Le Havre
- 4/10/16 Proceeded to Front
The battalion joined 22nd Brigade, of 7 Division and were involved in the following actions;
- 14th March-5th April, German retreat to the Hindenburg line
- 11th April Flanking operations around Bullecourt during the Arras offensive
- Moved to Flanders and took part in the 3rd Battle of Ypres starting on 31st July 1917
They took part in the following actions during the 3rd Ypres;
- 26th September, Battle of Polygon Wood
- 4th October, Battle of Broodseinde
- 9th October, Battle of Poelcapelle
- 26th October-10th November, 2nd Battle of Passchendaele.
To say that he survived through all this was a miracle would be a monumental understatement! These were among the most bloody and debilitating battles of the war. But not only did he survive but he was promoted to lance corporal on 15th May 1917, then again to acting corporal on 9th October 1917 around the time of the Battle of Poelcapelle.
On the 19/20th of November 1917 the 22nd Brigade left the hell of Passchendaele and entrained to Italy.
During his time in Italy Bernard was confirmed in the rank of corporal on 21st April 1918 and promoted to acting lance sergeant the next day. On the 19th July he was injured in a practice attack the event is recorded in his own words in a written statement for an inquiry. The army took a dim view of soldiers causing self inflicted wounds.
“We were practicing an attack last night and I slipped on the grass and rock. Probably due to new boots and very uneven ground.”
The statement is signed BW Barker Sgt. 20/7/18
His statement is backed up by his platoon commander:
“On the 19th July, during a practice attack, Sgt Barker B.W. sprained his ankle on the rocky ground, in discharge of his duties as my Platoon Sergeant.”
It is signed H.G. Mitchell, Lieut, 2. H.A.C (Inf) 21/7/18.
Further documents from the inquiry confirm that he was injured accidentally. On the 19th August Bernard was relinquished from his rank of acting sergeant and reverted back to corporal.
Bernard’s luck finally ran out at the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. It started on the evening of 23rd October 1918. It was the battle that led to the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and contributed to the end of the First World War.
The battle began for the 22nd Brigade, including 2HAC, crossing the Piave River in 12 flat bottomed boats to capture the island garrison of Papadopoli. They were only lightly opposed and all boats made it across with few casualties. By the morning of the 24th they had established a bridgehead on the island. It was while they were consolidating their position that Bernard was killed in action. He is buried at Tezze British Cemetery in Italy.
The Honourable Artillery Company was awarded 2 Distinguished Service Orders, 5 Military Crosses, 3 Distinguished Conduct Medals and 29 Military Medals for this remarkable action.
THE REGISTER OF THE WAR DEAD These particulars have been compiled from information furnished by the Record Offices and the next-of-kin. In all cases the next-of-kin have been asked to furnish the personal information they wish to appear in the Register, and where possible this has been given in the relative’s actual words.
BARKER, Cpl. Bernard Whittenbury, 4935. 2nd Bn. Hon Artillery Coy. 25th Oct., 1918 Age 21. Son of Mrs Allison Barker of Chiswick. Plot 3. Row A. Grave 7.
Commemorated
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