JOHN BARKER (1902 1904 : 25), eldest son of Mr C F J Barker, Walton-on-Naze (formerly of the Victoria Hotel, Wolverhampton), completed his education at Ascham College, Clacton, and afterwards became an officer in the electricity department of the Clacton Urban District Council.  Having joined the Essex Yeomanry in 1914 he was called up for service in 1914 and in due course took his place in the fighting forces.  On May 10th 1917, he was in some reserve trenches when a terrific hombardment of the advanced trenches made retirement imperative.  A counter attack drove the enemy out, but only at the heavy cost of casualties, as stated by an officer, to fifty per cent of the regiment.  Trooper Barker, “a very popular man and a good soldier, a cheerful and reliable worker”, was missing, and no trace of him has since been found.