The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. J K Barker

John Keel Barker was born in January 1917 in Birkenhead, the son of William Reginald Barker and Elsie Marion Barker.

He served as a ground wireless operator in the pre-war RAF, joining in 1933, before being trained as a pilot.

He was serving with 152 Squadron at the start of the Battle of Britain. On 18th August 1940 he claimed a Ju87 destroyed and on the 25th a Me109.

Barker did not return from a sortie on 4th September 1940. He is believed to have been shot down by return fire from a Do17 engaged 25 miles off Bognor. He baled out from Spitfire R6909 but was killed.

His body was washed up on the French coast and he is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

Barker was 23 years old.