Godfrey Barker

Godfrey Barker was born on 13^th January 1883 at Malta. He was one of eight children of Francis William James Barker and Charlotte Jessie (née Foster). His three elder brothers, Ernest Francis William (1877), William Arthur John (1879), and Cecil (1881), all served in and survived the Great War. His father served with the Royal Artillery, retiring in 1908 with the rank of Colonel after being created a knight in 1906.

Godfrey attended King Edward’s School, Birmingham, before going on to the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. On 1^st January 1901 he entered the Royal Marines, serving with the Portsmouth Division, and was appointed Second Lieutenant on 1^st September 1901. He was gazetted as promoted to Lieutenant on 1^st July 1902:

Godfrey served onboard a number of ships during his career, including the Duncan-class battleship HMS Exmouth from April 1905 to May 1907. He was promoted to Captain on 1^st September 1912. He was serving onboard the London-class battleship HMS Prince of Wales, when he was placed on the retirement list at his own request on 13^th January 1914.

After the outbreak of war, Godfrey was recalled to serve with the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 13^th September 1914, initially with the Chatham Battalion. After returning from Antwerp he was promoted to Temporary Major and appointed Adjutant of the Drake Battalion.

Godfrey was killed on the Gallipoli peninsula on 29^th April 1915. He is buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery.

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