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Frederick William barker

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sharmaine

sharmaine Report 29 Jun 2016 20:53

Trying to find records for my father in law born Frederick William barker 1916 suffolk died hartismere 1969 .We were told he was a prisoner of war before my sister in law was born the story states mother in law was pregnant which would mean it has got to be 1948/49 have one photo of him in what looks like a army desert uniform has anyone got any ideas please

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 29 Jun 2016 22:18

WW2 service records are still with the MOD and are not online. Have a look here to see how to apply for them (they cost £30 and take quite a while to arrive):-

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/requests-for-personal-data-and-service-records

Kath. x

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 29 Jun 2016 23:20

There's this from Findmypast

Prisoners of War 1715-1945 Transcription
Frederick
Last name Barker
Year 1944
Service number WX7154
Rank Private
Regiment -
Country of imprisonment Thailand
Prison camp or ship Thailand or 4D Camp
Conflict World War 2
Archive reference WO 361/1957
Archive The National Archives
Record set Prisoners of War 1715-1945
Document details Prisoners of war, Far East: Thailand POW Camp, name list, as of 1 November 1944; volume IV.

Its just a list of names with no other identifying details. Many of the other names on the image have middle names given. Something would have been said within the family if he had been a Japanese POW. Its not really something that he'd have been able to hide.

The only other result is
C F W
Last name Barker
Year 1942
Service number 1573943
Rank Gunner
Regiment -
Ship name Royal Artillery 125AT
Ship or corps Royal Artillery 125AT
Country of imprisonment -
Prison camp or ship -
Conflict World War 2
Archive reference WO 361/2184
Archive The National Archives
Record set Prisoners of War 1715-1945
Document details Prisoners of war, Far East: Royal Artillery; nominal roll, A-C

Researching:
Dormant member as from 20 Sep 2019 . Click on my board name to send a message

sharmaine

sharmaine Report 30 Jun 2016 13:35

Royal artillery no986908 was given to me a few years ago

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 30 Jun 2016 15:35

SharmIne, unfortunately there's no alternate than to send for his records from the MOD. Kath posted the link earlier.
Possibly they'll be in the public domain in a few years, but who knows when that will be? The closure is protect the few servicemen & women who are still living.

Researching:
Dormant member as from 20 Sep 2019 . Click on my board name to send a message

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 30 Jun 2016 17:35

This is his attestation record (when he joined up):-

First name(s) Frederick William
Last name Barker
Age -
Birth year -
Birth place -
Attestation year 1939
Service number 986908
Former service number -
Record set Royal Artillery attestations 1883-1942
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Subcategory Regimental & service records
Collections from Great Britain

That's the only thing that comes up with his service number. Looks like he was transfered to the reserves on 7th August 1946. (this date is on the image).

Kath. x