THE MASQUERADOR

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1929, Page 5

THE MASQUERADOR

GIRL COMPLETELY FOOLED. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, March 7. Further inquiries reveal that the woman who nosed as “Captain Barker” is the daughter of a Jersey Island man. Her maiden name was Leslie Valeri Barker, but the most startling revelation is the fact that, while masquerading as a man, she was “married” in November 1923, at St. Peter’s Church. Brighton, to a girl named Alfreda Emma Haward. aged 27 years, the daughter of a chemist, belonging to Little Hampton Parish. The curate of the parish performed the ceremony at which the girl’s parents were present. The entry in the register described the “bridegroom” as “Victor Barker aged twenty-nine years, Batclmlor, independent, son of William Barker, deceased.” The Hawards only learned to-day of the fact that the person who “married” their daughter was really a woman. The mother of the girl Haward says that Barker courted tlieir daughter as “Sir Victor Barker” for two year.s. He said that he was a baronet, and be kept worrying Alfrcda to marry. He seemed “a fine manly fellow,” and knew how to make love to the girl. Some members of the family were opposed to the “match,’’ hut the daughter’s heart was set on Barker, so they did not oppose the “marriage” which was an unhappy one. They lived at Brighton, Hove, Andover, and other places, hut their daughter became miserable, and she said that she felt compelled to leave her “husband” for ever, and to return home. “She has stayed with us ever since” added the mother “helping us with our little business.” IS HER HUSBAND ALT YE? LONDON, March 7. With reference to the woman Barker’s Australian husband, none of the papers give the fill name. The Daily Telegraph states;—The woman Barker, during the war time served as a A .A.D, in hranee, and she there was always noted for her masculineness. She married an Australian Army Officer, named Smith, who subsequently returned to Australia.”

BARKER’S MARRIAGE. CERTIFICATE. (Received this dnv n a.m.) LONDON, March 7. The “Evening Standard” says Barker’s marriage certificate, dated .April 27th. 1918, (.Milford, Surrey), shows the bridegroom was Harold Arkell Smith, aged 38. bachelor, a Second Lieutenant in the Australian Forces.

Barker’s so-called wife in an interview said she was terrified at the thought of tlie disgrace brought on her family. She never for a moment suspected anything. She had been thinking of divorce for some time blit could not afford it. The first part of their married life had been happy enough. SCOTLAND YARD INVESTIGATIONS LONDON, March 7. It is stated that Scotland Yard is investigating tlie career of Barker, who is still in Holloway Gaol. An (application for release will he made in the Law Courts to-morrow. It is now definitely,suggested that the real name is Barker. Somerset House records reveal that when 22 year.s old she married an Australian, Lieut. Smith, whose whereabouts are unknown, but there are two children of the marriage. The mystery of the name Pearce Crouch, under which they were known both in Paris and Little Hampton, is unsolved. It is understood that they lived in Paris under that name together with two children. Pearce Crouch is stated to have been an officer in the Australian Army, hut the suggestion that Barker’s husband changed his name from Smith is at present unconfirmed. It is believed they lived in an old world cottage in Little Hampton under the name of Mr and Mrs Pearce Crouch, hut it is definitely stated the couple quarrelled and the husband left, after which Barker went to Brighton. Inquiries reveal that Barker lived at many places in England, stories of her behaviour and activities all adding to the amazing character of the successful masquerade.