Charles William Barker (Service No. 14643293) died on 14 October, 1944 in the vicinity of Overloon. He was aged 19 and a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment. He was initially buried at Cemetery De Kleffen, Overloon and re-interred on 15 July 1946 in Grave I. B. I. at the CWGC Cemetery in Overloon. His grave is inscribed “Silent thoughts, secret tears keep your memory for ever dear.”

No photo of Charles William Barker has yet been found. Should anyone reading this have a photo of him or further information regarding him – or if they are aware of any errors in his biography below can they please contact the Foundation?

Military Career

It isn’t certain when Charles joined the Army, though given his age it is likely to have been around 1943.

The 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment took part in the D-Day landings in June 1944 and was then engaged throughout the Normandy Campaign, taking part in Operation Charnwood, Operation Goodwood, and throughout the rest of the Northwest Europe Campaign until Victory in Europe Day in May 1945.

Following the failure to take the bridge at Arnhem in Operation Market Garden in late September 1944, the Allied Forces were left in a very precarious narrow salient through the Netherlands. It was the aim of Operation Aintree to widen this salient by heading south from Nijmegen to take Overloon and then Venray before finally eliminating a German bridgehead on the River Maas near Venlo which also would provide access to the Ruhr.

On 9 October 1944 the Battalion found itself in Haps, just south of Nijmegen and North of Overloon. They were ordered to move south to St Anthonis on 11 October, but this was postponed to the following day due to bad weather. The move was completed on 12 October.

They were kept in reserve for the battle that was being fought around Overloon. The 8th Infantry Brigade was tasked with capturing Overloon and advancing to Venray. Shortly before nightfall, they heard that Overloon had fallen and that the battalions of the 8th Division were struggling to hold their ground.

On Friday, 13 October the aim was for the Royal Ulster Rifles, followed by the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and then the Lincolnshires to clear wooded areas just west and south of Overloon in which the Germans had entrenched themselves, then cross a stream called the Molenbeek between Overloon and Venray. They would be supported by Churchill Tanks of the 4th Tank Grenadier Guards. The Lincolnshires therefore moved down to a position just north west of Overloon that day.

In addition to the difficult terrain, two other factors played a crucial role – the Germans had dotted the entire area with their dreaded “Shuhminen.” These wooden mines were difficult to detect. They didn’t tend to kill but inflicted severe injury to the victim’s legs. In addition, the German troops had a strategic observation point from Venray’s church tower. Any Allied troop movement would be watched and relayed to their artillery which would result in a barrage of shells.

The Royal Ulster Rifles and the King’s Own Scottish Borderers began the attack on the forests. However, it soon became apparent that they were barely making any progress, leaving the Lincolnshires out of the battle all day. Neverltheless, the Lincolnshires suffered one man killed and 3 wounded.

On the 14 October, the day on which Charles died, the plan was for B Company to be guided through a wood held by the Royal Ulster Rifles to its front edge from where they would carry out a recce to check if a stream was passable and if the north eastern corner of a wood to the south was held by the enemy. However, the guides were late and the move through the wood was slower than expected, so the recce did not take place. At 7.30am the Company began to advance south out of the wood. However, before the Company had advanced 100yds the enemy opened fire from a track about another 100 yds ahead. The advance continued but came under such heavy fire with so many casualties that the Company Commander issued an order to retreat back to the Royal Ulster Rifles’ position. By this point one Lieutenant and 34 other ranks had been killed or wounded.

Following a recce by the Company Commanders, it was decided to launch an attack at 1530 hours with D and A companies in the lead. The enemy had been seen moving in the area of the stream in front of the wood. It was thought that the enemy holding the Battalion objective were probably a Company strong. Immediately the attacking force came into the open they were subjected to intense artillery and mortar fire but they pressed steadily on to reach their objective. During this action the Battalion suffered very heavy casualties including four officers killed and another four wounded. Charles was initially reported as wounded and then this was corrected to state that he died of wounds on that day.

The fallen were buried the next day at noon at the Vogelsangs family farm on the Helderseweg in Overloon. They were later reburied at the British Cemetery “De Kleffen” on the site where the War Museum is now located. Charles William Barker was reburied on July 15, 1946 at Overloon War Cemetery, grave I. B. 1. A total of 27 men of the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment who died that day are buried alongside each other.

Family Background

Charles William Barker was the son of Arthur George Henry Barker and Susan Ellen Mold.

Arthur George Henry Barker was the son of Arthur John G Barker and Annie Margaret Thompson who had married in Bethnal Green in the East End of London in 1891. Arthur (Snr) was born in 1874 and Annie in 1872, both in Bethnal Green. They had eight children between 1891 and 1910 though twins born in 1905 both died in infancy. All were born in Bethnal Green. Arthur GH Barker was the second eldest of the children and was born on 25/2/1893.

In 1901 Arthur and Annie Barker were living with their first three children at 28, Hartley Street, Bethnal Green. Arthur was working as a Cabinet Maker. Arthur’s brother, Henry, was living with them and a visitor was present – both of whom were also Cabinet Makers. In 1911 Arthur and Annie were living at 41 Russia Lane, Bethnal Green with all six children. Arthur (Snr) was still working as a Cabinet Maker and Arthur (Jnr) was an Improver Cabinet Maker.

Susan Ellen Mold was the daughter of Charles William Mold and Susan Jane Meadus who married in Walsall, Staffordshire in 1891. Earlier that year. Charles was lodging with Susan’s parents who were living at 61, Field Street, Bloxwich, Walsall, though her father had been born in Hampshire and her mother and the rest of the family including Susan were born in London. Charles Mold was an Awl Blade Maker, as was Susan’s father. At that time Susan (Snr) was working as a Brush Filler while her sister was working as a Brush Polisher. Charles and Susan were both born in 1869. Charles was born in Walsall.

Charles William and Susan Jane Mold had twelve children between 1892 and 1911, though four died in infancy. Susan Ellen Mold was the second eldest of the children. She was born in 1893 in Field Street, Bloxwich, probably in her grandparents’ house. While Susan and her older brother were born in Bloxwich all the others were born in Bethnal Green, suggesting that the family had moved there between 1893 and 1895.

In 1901, Charles and Susan Mold were living with their first two surviving children at 29, Tagg Street, Bethnal Green. Charles was still working as a shoemaker’s awl blade maker. They also had a 12 year old female boarder. In 1911 Charles and Susan were living at 8 Tagg Street with all but their eldest surviving child. A young female relative was also living with them. Charles was now working as a Blacksmith. Susan Ellen was working as a “Waterproof hand” and one of her brothers as a Railway Van Boy.

Arthur George Henry Barker married Susan Ellen Mold in 1914 in Bethnal Green. They had 9 children between 1915 and 1931. However, it is thought that six died in infancy, including two sets of twins in 1928 and 1931. This left just Susan A born 14/7/1915, John Leonard born 18/11/1922 and Charles William born 28/4/1925, all of whom were born in Bethnal Green.

In 1921, Arthur and Susan were living with their first child, Susan, at 21, Bandon Road, Bethnal Green, Arthur was working as a Packing Case Maker for Abdulla & Co Ltd, Cigarette Manufacturers.

By September 1939, Arthur and Susan Barker had moved away from the East End of London and were living at 19 Cheltenham Road, Southend on Sea with John and Charles. Arthur was working as a carpenter/ joiner, John as a general builder’s mate and Charles as a butcher’s assistant.

Their daughter, Susan, had married Patrick L Williams in 1935 in Islington. In 1939 they were living at 141 Barnsbury Road, Barnsbury, Islington with their daughter, Patricia H Williams, who was born in 1936. Patrick was a Builder’s Labourer, born on 6/10/1908. They went on to have two more children, Mary M Williams in 1943 in Islington and Arthur L Williams in 1947 in Southend on Sea.

Both John and Charles Barker were in the Army during WW2. John was a driver in the Army. He served In Sierra Leone, Africa and in Berlin in Germany near the end of the war.

Sadly, Charles William Barker died on 14/10/1944. John Barker told his own son how it had affected him greatly when he was informed of his brother’s death. For Charles’ parents the loss of Charles following the death of so many babies must have been particularly distressing.

It is thought that Susan E Barker died in Rochford, Essex in spring 1951 and Arthur G H Barker just a few months later in winter 1851 in Southend on Sea.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records
Lincolnshire Regiment War Diaries via Traces of War Website
Wikipedia – information on the Lincolnshire Regiment
Assistance from John A Barker, Arthur L Williams and Patricia H Thorn, Charles’ nephews and niece.

Research Elaine Gathercole