Pte
Patrick Barker
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 20/04/1876 |
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Place of birth: Dennistoun, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom |
General information
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Profession: Labourer |
Army information
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Country: Australia |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 2781 |
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Enlistment date: 23/05/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Moore Park, Sydney, South Wales, Australia |
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Units: — Australian Infantry, 55th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 26/09/1917 |
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Place of death: Jetty Wood, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 41 |
Cemetery
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Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood Plot: XIX Row: D Grave: 18 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 2
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place |
My story
Patrick Barker was born in 1876 in Dennistoun, Glasgow in Scotland. His parents were immigrants from Ireland. The family returned to Ireland in 1878. At some time Patrick emigrated to Australia.
He enlisted in May 1916 in Sydney, New South Wales. Patrick gave up a fake name, enlisting as Patrick Hogan. He also lied about his age, stating that he was 29-years old, while he had just turned forty. Patrick was taken on strength with the 55th Battalion Australian Infantry, part of the 14th Australian Brigade, of the 5th Australian Division.
On the 26th of September the 14th Brigade advanced through the northern part of Polygon Wood. The 55th Battalion was in the second wave. The artillery barrage was very effective and most machinegun nests in the first 500 yards had been taken out. German strong points at Polygon Wood Cemetery were outflanked and quickly surrendered. The Butte on the right flank of the attack was overpowered in a similar manner.
After the Butte had been captured, the 55th and 56th Battalions continued the advance to the second objective in Jetty Wood. The renewed barrage took out most resistance and no serious check was given until the barrage halted.
A German counter-attack during the afternoon was fend off with the help of the artillery. The battalion held their positions under difficult conditions till the 30th of September. The Australians were subjected to heavy sniper- and artillery fire, as the Germans in front of them held the higher ground on the Broodseinde Ridge.
Patrick Barker, 41, fell on the 26th of September 1917, while his battalion attacked the second objective. Patrick was buried in the field north of Jetty Wood, along the road running from Polygon Wood to the hamlet of Noordemdhoek.
He enlisted in May 1916 in Sydney, New South Wales. Patrick gave up a fake name, enlisting as Patrick Hogan. He also lied about his age, stating that he was 29-years old, while he had just turned forty. Patrick was taken on strength with the 55th Battalion Australian Infantry, part of the 14th Australian Brigade, of the 5th Australian Division.
On the 26th of September the 14th Brigade advanced through the northern part of Polygon Wood. The 55th Battalion was in the second wave. The artillery barrage was very effective and most machinegun nests in the first 500 yards had been taken out. German strong points at Polygon Wood Cemetery were outflanked and quickly surrendered. The Butte on the right flank of the attack was overpowered in a similar manner.
After the Butte had been captured, the 55th and 56th Battalions continued the advance to the second objective in Jetty Wood. The renewed barrage took out most resistance and no serious check was given until the barrage halted.
A German counter-attack during the afternoon was fend off with the help of the artillery. The battalion held their positions under difficult conditions till the 30th of September. The Australians were subjected to heavy sniper- and artillery fire, as the Germans in front of them held the higher ground on the Broodseinde Ridge.
Patrick Barker, 41, fell on the 26th of September 1917, while his battalion attacked the second objective. Patrick was buried in the field north of Jetty Wood, along the road running from Polygon Wood to the hamlet of Noordemdhoek.
