Introduction and what this blog is about

Hey all,

Well as already mentioned, the purpose of this blog was to consolidate the information that was available as a result of research done on L.S. Barker. This blog is a collaboration at this stage between two guys from the Australian Woodwork Forum, Camoz, and L.S.Barker1970. Our problem was, one of us lives in NSW and the other Victoria, so it's not like we could just sit down over a few beers to work it out.

We had prevously posted information in posts on the woodwork forum regarding L.S. Barker http://www.woodworkforums.com/f163/who-real-l-s-barker-173140/index6.html (and we want to thank those who shared an interest in this company), but as we are still trying to work out the facts, and unfortunately the biggest problem with forum based posts is after a bit you can't go back and edit what you have realised is wrong. Hopefully this blog will enable us to make changes if needed and ensure that the information is the most accurate that is available at the time.

We hope you find the information interesting, and of cause we really would love to hear from anyone who has any information that they think may be useful, or we would just love to hear from you if you have a passion for Old Woodworking Machinery in general.

Cheers,

Lot Sydney Forbes Barker and Family

Lot Sydney Forbes Barker was born on or around 1893(1) in Kilmore Victoria(3), however the family obituary(2) states he was 55 at the time of his death in 1948 suggesting a DOB of between 13 December 1891 to 11th December 1892, and his enlistment papers(3) state he was 24yrs 10mths on the 8/11/16 suggesting a DOB of between 9/12/1892 and 7/1/1893), he was one of Seven children(4) (four sisters Mrs. T. Kneebone, Mrs. A. McDougall, Mrs. N. Hansen, Mrs. C. Taylor, and two brothers Edmund Barker, William Barker), to parents William Lee Barker and Janet Barker (Eggleston), his father was a gate-keeper, at Clarke street railway gates, Northcote. His father had three sisters and two brothers(4) (Lott Barker, James Barker, Mrs. P.Pini, Mrs. J. Pass, Mrs. T. McWaters).
Lot married Margaret Elizabeth Johnston in 1916(1) (married before the 8/11/16(3)), they had one son Lee Sydney Barker (based on Lot Barker’s will(5), Lee was under the age of 21 at the time of his death, as he was to be the executor(6) if he was over 21, and the will was written up just 7 months before his death with this age clause in it(5)).
On 8/11/16 Lot joined the army (Service Number: 33251(3)). Records show he embarked on the 11/05/17 on HMAT Shropshire A9 out of Melbourne as a Gunner in the FAB (Field Artillery Brigade).

Based on available records, Lot started business in 1925 and is listed in the directory as L.S. Barker Engineer at 23 Cumberland Pl Melbourne, Phone: Central 1513. During his life he operated out of 2 other locations, always listed as L.S. Barker Engineer, 1928 – 1939, 11 Collie St, North Melbourne, Phone: F1513, 1940 onward 20 Willis street North Melbourne, Phone F1513.

(1)Lot's BDM records

 

 

(2)LS Barkers Obituary
 

Deaths 13th December 1947 The Argus
BARKER. —On December 12 (suddenly), at stradbroke road, Montrose, Sydney Barker,
loved husband of Margaret, and father of
Lee, aged 55 years.

BARKER. —A tribute to the memory of our
late employer, L. S. Barker. (Inserted
by employees, Willis street, North Mel-
bourne.)

(3) Enlistment Papers
 

(4) Fathers Obituary

 

BARKER.-On the 10th February, at Winton (the result of accident), William Lee Barker, gate- keeper, Clarke street railway gates, Northcote, dearly beloved husband of Janet Barker, beloved father of Mrs. T. Kneebone, Mrs. A. McDougall, Mrs. N. Hansen, Edmund, William, and Sydney Barker, and the late Mrs. C. Taylor; beloved brother of Mrs. T. McWaters, Mrs. J. Pass, Mrs. P.Pini, James and Lott Barker, aged 60 years.
At rest.

(5) Lots Will

 

(6) Lots Probate

 

L.S. Barker the Company