Pages: [1]

Author Topic: WW2 - Sgt Richard Henry Barker  (Read 495 times)

Offline *Sandra*

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 60,394
  • Marie Curie
    • View Profile
WW2 - Sgt Richard Henry Barker
« on: Friday 04 July 25 20:13 BST (UK) »

Have a youngster trying to find out WW2 information about Richard Henry Barker. 
Born 7 August 1917 Cumberland.

She thinks he served in Burma.  Have a photo, attached shows the sleeve of his jacket. 

Can we learn anything from that ?


Could it be Royal Army Medical Co ?  With a badge of a "buffalo"  ?

Any info gratefully received.

Thank You
Sandra




"We search for information, but the burden of proof is always with the thread owner"

Census information is Crown Copyright  http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

British Census copyright The National Archives; Canadian Census copyright Library and Archives Canada

Offline Andy J2022

  • RootsChat Aristocrat
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,167
    • View Profile
Re: WW2 - Sgt Richard Henry Barker
« Reply #1 on: Friday 04 July 25 23:01 BST (UK) »
Yes, I would agree that he was in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and the shoulder flash is most likely that of the 11th Armoured Division. Other examples here: Imperial War Museum

Offline *Sandra*

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 60,394
  • Marie Curie
    • View Profile
Re: WW2 - Sgt Richard Henry Barker
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 05 July 25 14:50 BST (UK) »


Thank  you.  So if he was in the 11 th Armoured Division, then probably did not go to Burma.
Just read the 11th Armoured Division was involved in the Normandy campaign, including the Battle of the Odon. So might be a possibility.

Sandra
"We search for information, but the burden of proof is always with the thread owner"

Census information is Crown Copyright  http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

British Census copyright The National Archives; Canadian Census copyright Library and Archives Canada

Offline Andy J2022

  • RootsChat Aristocrat
  • ******
  • Posts: 2,167
    • View Profile
Re: WW2 - Sgt Richard Henry Barker
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 05 July 25 21:53 BST (UK) »
The RAMC operated a system of trickle posting, that is to say, men were moved individually between units as required, either to fill specialist roles or for career advancement/promotion, so that means that he didn't necessarily spend the whole war with 11 Armd Div. Indeed between its formation in 1941 and D Day in June 1944, the division spent most of its time in the UK in training and wouldn't have needed full RAMC support. So Sgt Barker could easily have been serving in the Far East up until 1944 or perhaps later.

It is hard to be certain which medal ribbon he is wearing. It looks as if it could be the France and Germany Star which would accord with him being in 11 Armd Div. However he doesn't seem to have been entitled to any other medal such as the Burma Star. To qualify for the Burma Star he would have needed to have served in that theatre of war after 11 December 1941.

If you can get to the National Archives at Kew the war diaries for 11 Armd Div Medical Services are held in WO 177/371
Pages: [1]