THE MASQUERADOR

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1929, Page 5

THE MASQUERADOR

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, March 7. The astonishing fact that Barker went through the ordeal ol a trial at Old Bailey, for being in unauthorised possession oi an automatic pistol and was acquitted, without suspicion of sex, has aroused several women to say now they were suspicious and tried to trap Barker, but the “C'aptan” always had a plausible explanation. The fact that she said she had a wife and a little boy contributing to her immunity from suspicion. It is believed she was married to a soldier who died after the war leaving her with a child unprovided for. LONDON, March b. It is now revealed that “Captain Barker,” is Mistress Valerie Smith, who married an Australian in war time. She is the mother of a nine year old boy and an eight year old girl. She served with the V.A.I). in France and was also a lorry driver. She started her masquerade six years ago when she was poultry tanning in Sussex. While she was at a Vest End Hotel, where she was eventually arrested, she shared a communal dressing room, drank beer and changed her clothing among men. When her locker was opened it was found to contain dress clothes, eye-brow pencil, and powder pull, which obviously had been used. Also safety pins. There was a safety razor but there was no evidence that it had been used. It appears she carried on the masquerade in many towns in England particularly and over where she played cricket and tennis and was often seen in streets in flannels and a shirt .with •/•en neck. She often went shopping fours