This fonds consists of three notebooks filled with newspaper clippings which reflect the exploits and accomplishments of three generations of the Barker family, and which incidentally reveal much of contemporary life. The first notebook dated 1860-1905… Read more
This fonds consists of three notebooks filled with newspaper clippings which reflect the exploits and accomplishments of three generations of the Barker family, and which incidentally reveal much of contemporary life. The first notebook dated 1860-1905 speaks mainly of the life of Dr. Edward John Barker, founder and editor of the Kingston newspaper "The British Whig", and later the daily "Whig." Dr. Barker's son, R.W. Barker, postmaster, and later postal inspector in London, Ontario, is the second figure of consequence in this volume. R.W. Barker apparently had a good voice and the record shows his participation in entertainment on many occasions. The second notebook deals primarily with the life of Captain R.K. Barker in the Boer War. It covers dates 1899-1901 (& some later), and reveals in significant detail the involvement of the Canadian contingent in the Imperial campaign. The third book, 1915-1919, recounts the Canadian contribution to World War I as revealed in newspaper articles (primarily Toronto newspapers), with some references to Lt. Col. R.K. Barker and his brother Capt. W.D.P. Barker.
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