Laurence Checkley Barker

Laurence Checkley Barker (c1872-1942)

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1943 Obituary

LAURENCE CHECKLEY BARKER, after a year's course at King's College, London, served his apprenticeship with Messrs. C. Allen and Sons, engineers, of Taunton, from 1890 to 1893. He then joined Messrs. Clarke, Chapman and Company, of Gateshead, as an improver, and later was transferred to the drawing office. During this period he studied at the Rutherford College of Science.

In 1895 he returned to Taunton and went into partnership with Mr. W. Allen for the manufacture of gas and oil engines, and later was appointed manager of the engineering department. Subsequently he was for some years with Messrs. Davey, Paxman and Company, Ltd., of Colchester. In 1919 he rejoined Messrs. C. Allen and Sons, in which year the firm was reconstituted as a limited liability company; he then became one of the joint managing directors, and held this position up to the time of his death, which occurred on 21st December 1942, in his seventieth year.

Mr. Barker was elected an Associate Member of the Institution in 1903 and was transferred to Membership in 1913.

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1942 Obituary

MR. CHECKLEY BARKER
DEATH OF A TAUNTON ENGINEER
FORMER MAYOR
Mr Laurence Checkley Barker, I Mech.E., of "Lud Lodge," Stonegallows Hill. Taunton, a former Mayor, co-managing director with Mr A. C. Allen of Messrs. C. Allen & Son Ltd., engineers, of Tone Bridge, Taunton. Bristol, and Plymouth, died at his home on Monday after an illness of several months He was 68. He leaves a wife (who is a daughter of the late Mr. R. U. Hartnell, former member of Taunton Corporation, and two sons— Major R. C. Barker. R.E.M.E.. and Captain A. Barker. R.E. Before enlistment his elder son was associated with the firm, and his younger son a civil engineer.
Born in Ashford, Middlesex. Mr. Checkley Barker came to Taunton In 1890 and served an apprenticeship as an engineer with the well-known West of England firm of Messrs. C Allen Son. On the completion of his articles he went to Gateshead-on-Tyne. where he had secured a position with Messrs. Clark. Chapman & Co. Ltd. and after three years moved to Colchester for an appointment with Messrs. Davey, Paxman & Co.. Ltd.
THE "A B" ENGINE.
After being for several year the West of England representative at Bristol for this firm, he returned to Taunton and was associated with the late Mr William Allen in the design and manufacture of the "A.B" gas and oil engines, which became well known in this country and abroad In 1919 when the firm was formed into a limited company. Mr. Barker became co-managing director with Mr Arthur Allen and had continued In that position to the time of his death
With the firm well established. Mr. Barker in 1921 turned his thoughts to local government and an extension of the borough boundaries in that year gave him the opportunity to enter the Corporation as a representative of Castle Ward, and so he remained without break until his death. His technical qualifications were of considerable value. From November, 1927 to November, 1931 he was chairman of the Main Drainage Committee, and in the latter year he relinquished that position to become chairman of the Electricity Committee.
ELECTRICITY UNDERTAKING.
Here he had fuller scope for his abilities and he took the keenest Interest and the greatest pride in the rapid extension of the electricity department, which, under his direction. had achieved a leading position among municipal undertakings for cheap power and efficient maintenance—a position in keeping with the pioneering traditions of Taunton in the public use of electricity Actually it was 50 years ago last week that a public enquiry was held which resulted In the Corporation being given powers to light the streets with electricity.
Mr. Barker was Mayor in the year 1928-29. In the Council Chamber he often took an independent line and was able to speak Incisively on matters about which he had deep convictions.
OTHER PUBLIC WORK.
A good deal of other public work attracted him. He represented the Council on the Taunton Development Association ; was Trustee of Gray's Almshouses; took a practical interest the British Legion; was a manager of the Somerset and Wilts Savings Bank ; was a member of the Committee of the Chamber of Commerce and, touching more particularly on his own profession, was for many years member of the Committee of the South-Western Division of the Motor Agents' Association. He was a supporter of Taunton Rugby and a member of Pickeridge Golf Club. He was a past Constable of the ancient Taunton Court Leet. MASONIC OFFICES.
Mr. Barker was a very prominent and keen Freemason, ...

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