William Barker VC Memorial

Toronto, Ontario
Type
Other

needs further research

William George Barker was born in Dauphin, Manitoba on 3 November 1894. During the First World War, Barker enlisted as an infantryman, but later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (from 1 April 1918, the Royal Air Force).

A superb fighter pilot, he was responsible for the destruction of 50 enemy aircraft.

On 27 October 1918, while flying alone over the Forêt de Mormal in France on his way back to England, Major Barker engaged successive formations of German aircraft. After shooting down an enemy two-seater, he was attacked by a fighter and suffered a wound in his thigh. Barker then found himself surrounded by enemy fighters and was again severely wounded. Nevertheless, despite his wounds, he succeeded in bringing down three more German aircraft before crashing behind his own lines. For his conduct on this occasion, Major Barker was awarded the Victoria Cross.

Barker was killed in a flying accident at Rockcliffe airport, near Ottawa, on 12 March 1930. In addition to the Victoria Cross, for his wartime service Barker received the Distinguished Service Order with one bar, and the Military Cross with two bars.

Inscription

WILLIAM BARKER VC
1894 - 1930
THE MOST DECORATED
WAR HERO IN THE
HISTORY OF CANADA
AND THE BRITISH EMPIRE

HE IS ENTOMBED IN THIS MAUSOLEUM AT THE
END OF THE SECOND HALL ON THE RIGHT

Location
William Barker VC Memorial

375 Mt Pleasant Road
Toronto
Ontario
GPS Coordinates
Lat. 43.6953388
Long. -79.3852832

William Barker VC Memorial

1 of 2 images

inscription

1 of 2 images
Table of contents