Stephen Barker

Soldiers of Oxfordshire Trust
I am an independent Heritage Advisor working currently for Oxfordshire Museum Services, the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum and Oxford-Brookes University amongst others. I curate and design exhibitions including several First World War Centenary projects. In 2012 I ran the national Europeana/Oxford University IT Great War Collections Day in Banbury. Until 2011, I worked at Banbury Museum and was a trustee of the Battlefields Trust working on HLF projects. In 2009, I had published 'Lancashire's Forgotten Heroes' - a history of the 8th East Lancashire Regiment in the Great War. I completed an MA (Distinction) in Museum Studies at Leicester University in 2011.

The Oxford Vigilance Committee Report of November 1916 and fears over declining moral values in the city

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Stephen Barker

In 1888, an Oxford Vigilance Committee was formed to monitor and support the enforcement of the recently passed Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885. The Act made further provision for the Protection of Women and Girls, the suppression of brothels, … Continue reading →

Posted in Strange Meetings, Unconventional Soldiers | 1 Comment

Tactics and Training – Arras 1917

Posted on June 5, 2012 by Stephen Barker

There had been much tactical experimentation undertaken by the British Army during the Somme battles in the latter half of 1916. In addition, contemporary Divisional, Corps and Army files held at the National Archives, Kew reveal the extent of GHQ’s … Continue reading →

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‘War Horse’ at Monchy-le-Preux – 11 April 1917

Posted on April 15, 2012 by Stephen Barker

Monchy-le-Preux was one of the keys to the northern end of the Hindenburg Line, giving the Germans ideal observation over any advance from the British trenches in front of Arras five miles away. Third Army’s commander, General Sir Edmund Allenby, … Continue reading →

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