Vale – 337556 Brigadier Herbert Wheatley Barker – RAEME
It is with great sadness we advise of the passing of a true legend of our Corps BRIG Bert Barker, today in Melbourne, aged 102.
Until recently was a resident in aged care at Banora Point on the Gold Coast, moving back to Melbourne to be closer to family, he was focused on making sure his wife Nona was settled in the Victorian retirement village with their daughter. They would have celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary on the 15th July and Nona herself, a WWII veteran, turns 100 on the 31st of October this year.
BRIG Bert belongs to a rare cohort of servicemen because he was an original member of our proud Corps at our foundation in 1942. He served in WWII on operations in PNG and through his many postings, his various commands, training and staff appointments over 33 years’ service, it is clear he made a huge contribution to the Corps, the Army and the ADF. He served as Colonel Commandant 1 Military District from 1980 to 1984 before retiring.
Bert was RAQ Member No.591. He received a Chairman’s Award in 2019 and in 2022 was awarded ‘Honorary Life Membership’ of the RAEME Association Queensland for his significant contribution to our Corps over a lifetime.
Arte et Marte
Rest in Peace
Barry Shipway (Welfare Rep)
A true RAEME legend, I served under Bert on a couple of occasions, and I regard him as an outstanding officer. To him the most important commodity he had were the men and women in his command and he ensured that their welfare and administration was always of the highest order. May he have eternal peace.
Good BYE BOSS . MISS YOU . .