William Kirby and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
James was born in 1893 at Seaham Colliery the son of James and Jane (nee Embleton) who had married in 1880. The couple went on to have 13 children although 4 of them died.
In 1891 the family were living at Back John Street, Dawdon. Father James was working as a seagoing fireman. James was the only worker at that time as all the children were attending school. They included John, Edward, Hannah, Jane, William and Catherine.
By 1901 two more children had been additions to the family. They were named James and Thomas. John senior was now a cooper whilst his sons John and Edward were working at the glass works. John as a glass maker/blower and younger brother Edward was a glass bottle gatherer. Their address was now 15 Lord Street Dawdon.
Several of the siblings have married by 1911 so only sons William, James, Thomas, George and daughter Ellen are still at the family home. Ellen was born after the last census was taken.
James was working as a wagon way lad below ground. Younger brother Thomas was a coal miner trapper.
James enlisted at Seaham Harbour. He was posted to France on January 22nd 1915 but was wounded some time about April 19th 1915 for which he was allowed to wear a wound stripe. He was subsequently killed in action on December 30th 1916.
At least two of James’s brothers fought in the Great War, John Embleton Barker who survived and Edward who was killed in action on 01/07/1916.
James was awarded British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1915 Star.
James Barker has yet to be identified on a local war Memorial.
