W.A.A. Barker (G/SH 78-83). 

Bill’s tragic death in the recent floods has received national coverage and the following is based largely on a number of media reports.
PC Bill Barker received full police honours at his funeral service in Egremont. He died when part of the Northside bridge in Workington collapsed in the early hours of the morning. It was the day before his 45th birthday. He had been standing on the crumbling bridge, turning back the public, when it suddenly collapsed beneath him plunging him into the River Derwent. PC Barker leaves a wife and four children.
Thousands of people have paid tribute to him including the Prime Minister, who said: “Bill Barker was a very heroic, a very brave man”. The Chief Constable of Cumbria referred to him as “a hero who died saving others”. The Rev. Richard Lee,the Rector of Egremont, described him as a “fine family man, a man of principle and someone to be looked up to and respected”. Other quotes from friends and colleagues included “a larger than life character…caring and compassionate…a nice guy who would do anything for you…a true professional, he died doing the job he loved”.

U15 Cricket - Bill Barker (tall boy in back row)