The AIF Project

Harold Arthur BARKER

Regimental number43
Place of birthBendigo, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationSalesman
Address18 Waratah Street, Ascot Vale, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Next of kinA. Barker, 18 Waratah Street, Ascot Vale, Victoria
Enlistment date17 August 1914
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name7th Battalion, Machine Gun Section
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board Transport A20 Hororata on 19 October 1914
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal Roll15th Machine Gun Company
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Distinguished Conduct Medal


Recommendation date: 25 April 1915

FateReturned to Australia 24 January 1919
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry, ability, and resource on the 25th and 26th April, 1915, near Gaba Tepe (Dardanelles). During the operations on these two days, the Officer, Serjeant, and Corporal of his Machine Gun Section, having been wounded, Corporal Barker assumed the command, and continued working the guns under a heavy shell fire. At one time the enemy actually succeeded in getting into the machine gun trench, but were all killed. One after another the machine guns were rendered useless by shell fire, but he collected portions of useless guns, and built them up anew. Finally he was working with two guns only composed of parts of at least seven other guns.'
Source: 'London Gazette' No. 8844
Date: 6 September 1915

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