For Valour : Captain (Acting Major) William George Barker VC DSO** MC** Royal Air Force
Major Barker: signed portrait (RAF Museum AC97-93-240)
3 November 1894 – 12 March 1930
After 3 years of static trench warfare, on 21 March 1918 the Great War became mobile again. With the collapse of Russian forces in the east, the German Army was able to move vast numbers of troops to the Western Front, culminating in an attack on a broad aspect. Where, until now, advances by each side could be measured in yards, the Germans penetrated deeply, before being halted, not least by outrunning their supply lines. In turn, the Allies launched a major counter-attack on 8 August, known as the 100 Days Offensive, which culminated in the Armistice on 11 November 1918. This Allied offensive involved major air battles.
Barker with ‘his’ Sopwith Snipe – note arrow insignia on fin
(RAF Museum X003-8860/041 )
On 27 October 1918, Flight Lieutenant Barker was piloting Sopwith Snipe E8102 as part of 201 Squadron based at La Targette airfield. He was meant to fly back to UK that morning but encountered German aircraft, which he engaged.
London Gazette Saturday 30th November, 1918.
‘His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned Officer of the Royal Air Force, in recognition of bravery of the highest possible order: — Capt. (A./Major) William George Barker, D.S.O., M.C., No. 201 Sqn., R.A. Force.
On the morning of the 27th October, 1918, this officer observed an enemy two-seater over the Foret de Mormal. He attacked this machine, and after a short burst it broke up in the air. At the same time a Fokker biplane attacked him, and-he was wounded in the right thigh, but managed, despite this, to shoot down the enemy aeroplane in flames.
Close-up of personal markings on original fin. Held by RAF Museum (79/Y/2043)
He then found, himself in the middle of a large formation of Fokkers, who attacked him from all directions; and was again severely wounded in the left thigh; but succeeded in driving down two of the enemy in a spin. He lost consciousness after this, and his machine fell out of control. On recovery he found himself being again attacked heavily by a large formation, and singling out one machine, he deliberately charged and drove it down in flames.
During this fight his left elbow was shattered and he again fainted, and on regaining consciousness he found himself still being attacked, but, notwithstanding that he was now severely wounded in both legs and his left arm shattered, he dived on the nearest machine and shot it down in flames.
Barker with Royal Aircraft Factory RE 8 in which he flew reconnaissance sorties
(RAF Museum X003-2602/11413 )
Being greatly exhausted, he dived out of the fight to regain our lines, but was met by another formation, which attacked and endeavoured to cut him off, but after a hard fight he succeeded in breaking up this formation and reached our lines, where he crashed on landing.
This combat, in which Major Barker destroyed four enemy machines (three of them in flames), brought his total successes up to fifty enemy machines destroyed, and is a notable example of the exceptional bravery and disregard of danger which this very gallant officer has always displayed throughout his distinguished career.
Barker’s Sopwith Snipe after his VC combat. Note battle damage
(RAF Museum PC94/201/488)
Major Barker was awarded the Military Cross on 10th January, 1917; first Bar on 18th July, 1917, the Distinguished Service Order on 18th February, 1918; second Bar to Military Cross on 16th September, 1918; and Bar-to Distinguished Service Order on 2nd November, 1918.’
Barker’s enthusiasm for taking every opportunity to attack German forces sometimes led him into difficulties with higher authority. In December 1917, he was required to write an apology for breaking standing orders by shooting down a German observation balloon: his excuse he ‘went over the front lines to test his guns and forgot the prohibition on low flying’. There is no evidence the matter went further.
Letter Barker was required to write to apologise for disobeying orders
and attacking enemy trenches at low level (RAF Museum X001-2309/004)
Flight Lieutenant Barker retired from the RAF in April 1919 but, being Canadian by birth and residence, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force as a Wing Commander in 1920, resigning from RCAF in 1924. He eventually joined Fairchild Aviation Corporation of Canada in January 1930 when, a couple of months later, he died testing a new model.
Wing Commander Barker’s tomb © JS (Steve) Bond
He is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Canada.
Wing Commander Barker’s VC is held in the Canadian War Museum, Ottawa.
Credits:
Citation: London Gazette 30 November 1918
Additional biographical details: For Valour: The Air VCs Chaz Bowyer, Grub Street Publishing.
