The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (3469) Private William Frederick Joseph Barker, 17th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Craig Berrelle, the story for this day was on (3469) Private William Frederick Joseph Barker, 17th Battalion, AIF, First World War.

3469 Private William Frederick Joseph Barker, 17th Battalion, AIF
KIA 27 July 1916
Photograph: P04080.001

Story delivered 26 October 2016

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private William Frederick Joseph Barker.

William Barker, known as “Bill”, was born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, around 1882. He served on the British side during the Boer War, first with the Cape Town Highlanders and then with the Royal Army Medical Corps. After the war he came to Australia and settled in Wellington, New South Wales, where he worked as a mechanic. His best mate was Eddie Sayers, a close friend he eventually named as his next of kin.

Barker enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in September 1915 and underwent a period of training in Australia before leaving for active service with reinforcements to the 17th Battalion in December. Private Barker was first sent to Egypt, and from there to France to fight on the Western Front.

The 17th Battalion was one of a number of battalions to serve in positions in a quiet sector of the front line in order to gain valuable experience of trench conditions. In late June a party of the battalion, including Private Barker, conducted a raid against German positions. Barker later wrote to his mate Eddie in Wellington to say, “I have a bonzer German rifle which I captured from one of the German trenches … worth keeping.” He later arranged for the rifle to be sent to Eddie.

A few weeks later Barker wrote again to Sayer:

just a few lines before we go into action again, which command we expect at any moment, and if I am lucky I will write as soon as we come out … old fellow, this is undoubtedly the biggest thing I shall have to face; I have had to find some means of writing to you and am sure, old friend, if the worst happens, you will not forget your mate. I have thought of you continually since leaving, and trust that you are happy and well, for I am the same … My greatest ambition is to get home again to join you.

On 25 July 1916 the 17th Battalion entered the front line in the village of Pozières just days after it had been captured by the 1st Australian Division. Almost immediately the men came under heavy shell-fire, which continued throughout their time in the front line. Two days later a man from Wellington, Private McLaren, was wounded, and Barker volunteered to take the place of one of the stretcher-bearers who had been killed. As they were carrying McLaren out, another shell burst near the party. McLaren was not further wounded, but several shell fragments hit Barker, badly wounding him. McLaren later recalled it took Barker an hour to die.

Private Barker was missed by many mates in the 17th Battalion. Lieutenant Dick Wilkins wrote:

poor old Bill Barker has paid the full sacrifice and died game; had he pulled through he certainly would have received distinction as no man played the game better than he did. He was liked and respected by all his mates, who thought the world of him, also by his officer commanding.

Private Jennings also wrote of Barker’s death, saying, “He died a hero”.

Private William Barker was buried in Gordon Dump Cemetery. He was 33 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, among more than 60,000 Australians who died while serving in the First World War. His photograph is displayed today beside the Pool of Reflection.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private William Frederick Joseph Barker, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section