Corporal George J Harker 17613

George James Harker

There was only one George J Harker in the CWGC database and he was in the King's (Liverpool) Regiment so I am satisfied that it is the right man.

George James Harker was born on 1st December 1891 in Liverpool. He was baptised on 27th January 1892 in St Catherine's Church, Edge Hill. His parents were Edward Harker (a time keeper) and Beatrice Alice, they lived at 60 Albert Road, Spekeland (this is right by Edge Hill train station and Edward was a railway time keeper)

Source: Ancestry.co.uk parish records Liverpool baptisms.

In the 1901 census the whole family (including a 19 day old baby who had no name yet!) were enumerated at the house of Beatrice Alice's parents

Source: 1901 census Ancestry.co.uk

The 1911 census record shows the family living at 107 Upper Stanhope Street, Beatrice's mother and siblings were with them. George J Harker was working as a railway Clerk, his father was a railway timekeeper and his brothers worked as a railway crane boy and railway number taker. His uncle was also a railway porter.  Sadly we can see that the baby on the previous census did not survive.

Source: 1911 census ancestry.co.uk

The following images show the railway company record of employment for George James Harker at Brunswick Station. The first page shows his date of birth 1st Dec 1891, he was appointed 14/11/1910 and his rates of pay are recorded:

14/11/1910 it was  14/-

  15/1/1912 in increased to 16/-

a1/7/1912 'new scale 17/6 19 years of age'

16/12/1912 it increased to 21/-

 the second page records that he left the position because

he was killed in action 28th March 1916

source: Ancestry.co.uk

Brunswick Goods Station source: yoliverpool.com

There are actually two medal cards for George, they both have the same regimental number but different middle initials. There is a notation on each card to this effect and the  original card (on the left) has a note that the correct initials G J are authorised for the medals.
The card also shows that he entered the theatre of war (1) France on 7th November 1915.

Many pages of George Harker's service records have survived. This is his attestation paper which shows that he signed up on 11st Sept 1914 for the duration of the war.

Source: Ancestry.co.uk

Information extracted from the other papers shows that he was posted at home from 11/9/14 to 6/11/15 then posted to France on 7/11/15

His medical papers shows that George was 5ft 5 inches tall and weighed 126 lbs. He had a fresh complexion, dark brown eyes and hair. His only distinguishing mark was a mole on his left arm. This paper also states that on enlistment he was in the 19th service battalion of the King's (Liverpool) Regiment.

A further paper tells us he was in number 2 company of the 19th service battalion. He was in a bit of trouble on 11/8/15 at Belton Park for 'improper conduct in the ranks' and was given 3 days CB

The pension form completed by his mother in May 1919 shows that his father died in July 1918, the rest of his family were listed as next of kin with his mother and siblings at 41 Coltart Street.

2 of his brothers were also enlisted; Corporal Edward Harker 308589 and Pte Edgar Harker  R.A.M.C.

UK Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919

Source: Ancestry.co.uk

Name:	George James Harker
Birth Place:	Liverpool
Residence:	Liverpool
Death Date:	28 Mar 1918
Death Location:	France & Flanders
Enlistment Location:	Liverpool
Rank:	Corporal
Regiment:	King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Battalion:	19th Battalion
Number:	17613
Type of Casualty:	Killed in action
Theatre of War:	Western European Theatre

 

 

click here to see the cwgc database entry for George J Harker