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Barker, Harry Graham, Okotoks, Alberta, Class of ’18, 3rd. Yr. Diploma (1916). Military Service: Gunner, Reg. No. 1251236, 78th Battery (Petawawa), Attestation Papers.
Additional Biographical Information:
Harry G. was a brother of Wilfred. R. Barker, Okotoks, Alberta. Wilfred graduated in 1915 with a B.S.A and also won the Public Speaking Cup and Medal in his final year.
1917
Undergraduate, H. G. Barker, 1251236, Gunner, 78th Battery (Petawawa).
University of Manitoba, Archives and Special Collections, Managra, v. XI, No. 1 (Nov 1917), 7.
1918
Correspondence from H. G. Barker printed in Managra:
I received your letter last week, and, although it took quite a while to get here after being posted, I was very glad to hear from you. I have not received the parcel yet, but I hope it comes in the near future, and I will take this chance of thanking the senders for their kindness. Letters and parcels are always welcome here, or any news, in fact, unless it is bad news.
We have been in this camp about two months and like it very well, at least conditions are better than we expected. The food is fairly good and so is the weather, and we get $15 spot cash per month for our labours, so what more can anyone ask for? The training in this camp lasts about six months and then the troops are sent to France in drafts of from 50 to 100 men. I expected to leave last week but we have been quarantined since then and I do not know when we will go.
There are a few of the M.A.C. boys in the camp who came over with the 196th. Archie Thompson, Drayson, Boyd, Waddell and the two Savages [Matthew and William]. They belong to the Machine Gun Corps, and expect to leave soon, I believe, if the plans are not changed – which they often are in the army.
How are conditions at the College this winter? Please give my regards to the members of the staff and the boys of the ’18 class. I saw a copy of the Managra, and it is like reading news from home. One outstanding feature was the number of weddings which were celebrated during the year. Is this another curse of this great war, or one of the many blessings? However, I suppose we should not criticize the others too much as I have made mistakes also. It makes one feel old when he hears of so many of his classmates settling down in life.
I will close now and write when we get to France. There is nothing doing here, and consequently, no news, but I hope to see more life over there.
Thanking you again for your thoughtfulness,
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
(signed) H. G. Barker, 1251236,
B Battery, Can. Reserve Artillery,
Witley, England.
University of Manitoba, Archives and Special Collections, Managra, v. XI, No. 5, (Mar. 1918), 64.