Harold Barker
| Harold George Barker | |
|---|---|
 Harold Barker | |
| Born |
27 November 1907 Sibsey |
| Died |
27 January 1977 (aged 69) Alicante, Spain |
| Education | Boston Grammar School (c1918-c1924) |
| Occupation | Wireless Officer; Pilot; Director of Civil Aviation; |
| Employer | Union Steamship Line; Ferranti; Royal Air Force; Ministry of Civil Aviation; Government of Cyrenaica in Libya |
| Height | 5ft 7.5in (1.7145m) |
| Spouse | Barbara |
| Children | Valerie |
| Parents | Frederick William Barker; May Florence |
Harold George Barker was educated at Boston Grammar School c1918-c1924 (possibly 1917-1926). He was well-known in the Boston rowing club having won the Rowing Club Cup for single sculls two years in succession.
After leaving BGS, Barker studied at the London Radio College where he obtained a first class qualification in the government examination for electricity and wireless telegraphy. He went on to join the Union-Castle Line as a Wireless Officer, travelling along the West Coast of Africa. On 12th August 1928 he was on board the Guildford Castle when she arrived at London's East India Docks at the end of his first foreign tour.
In the early 1930s he learned to fly at the Boston Aero Club. Barker became involved with travelling aerial displays. One of his passengers at this time was Barbara, who he later married.
Harold joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1938 joining other civilian pilots who were preparing for the impending war. He began as a Sergeant Pilot and in April 1942 was commissioned as an officer. Later in the war he served with 577 Squadron the role of which included towing live-fire targets for anti-aircraft gunners, testing and calibrating early radar systems, and flying demanding exercises in all conditions. Eventually Barker commanded the squadron. He worked with anti-aircraft units across the country including with Polish formations stationed in Britain. He was well respected in this role and was awarded the Polish Air Force silver wings.
In March 1945 Barker was awarded the Air Force Cross for courage, skill and devotion to duty while flying. By the end of the war he had risen to the rank of Squadron Leader.
After demobilization Barker joined the Ministry of Civil Aviation based in the Strand, London.
Initially the family lived adjacent to Epping Forest, later moving to Hemel Hempstead until Barker was seconded to the Government of Cyrenaica in Libya as Director of Civil Aviation. He later took up an appointment in British Guiana as Director of Civil Aviation. Back in England he had periods based in Liverpool and was involved in the development of Tees-Side Airport from the RAF base of Middleton St George.
Barker retired to Spain. He died following a cerebral haemorrhage.