THE MASQUERADER

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 55, 8 March 1929, Page 9

THE MASQUERADER

"BARKER'S" MARRIAGES

HUSBAND AN AUSTRALIAN

UNSUSPECTING "WIFE"

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

■•■ , uraph—Copyright. . Australian Press Association.

(Eeceived Bth March, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, 7th March,

The "Evening Standard" says that ! "Barker's" marriage certificate, dated 27th April, 1918 at Milford, Surrey, shows the bridegroom as Harold Arkell Smith, thirty-eight, bachelor, secondlieutenant in the Australian forces.- ! Inquiries reveal that "Captain Barker" is the daughter of a Jersey man. Her maiden name was Leslie Valeric 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 Alfreda Emma Haward, aged 27, the daughter of a chemist at Little Hampton. The parish curate performed the ceremony, at which the girl's parents were present. The entry in the register describes the bridegroom as "Victor Barker, aged 29, bachelor, independent, son of William Barker, deceased." A "FINE MANLY FELLOW." The Howards only learned to-day that the person who married their daughter was really a -woman. The mother says that "Barker" courted her daughter as "Sir Victor Barker" for two years. "He said he was a baronet and kept worrying Alfreda to marry him. He seemed a fine, manly fellow, and knew how to make love to a girl. Some members of the family were against the match, but my daughter's heart was set on 'Barker,' so we did not oppose the marriage. Things turned out unhappily. The pair lived at Brighton, Hove, . Andover,. and other places, but my daughter became miserable and said that she felt compelled to leave her 'husband' for ever and return home. She has stayed with us ever since, helping us with our, little business*" ' ■•■-■••• ■ . Barker's so-called "wife," in an interview said she was terrified at the thought of, the disgrace brought on her family. She had never for a moment suspected, anything, and had been thinking of divorce for some time, but could not afford it. The first part of her married life was happy enough. It is stated that Scotland Yard is investigating the career 'of "Barker," who is still in Holloway Gaol. Application for, her release is being made in the Law Courts to-morrow. It is now definitely established that the real name of the masquerader is Barker. Somerset House records reveal that when, twenty-two she married Smith, as already announced. Smith's whereabouts are unknown, but' there are two children of the marriage. The mystery of the name o,f Pearce Crouch under which the lady was known both in Paris and Littlehampton is unsolved.' It is understood that she lived in Paris under that name together with her two children. Pearce Crouch is stated to have been an officer in the Australian Army, but the suggestion that Barker's husband changed his name from Smith is at present unconfirmed. It is 1 learned that the pair lived in an old world cottage at Littlehampton under the name of Mr. and Mrs. Pearce Crouch, but it is definitely stated that the couple quarrelled and the husband left, after which "Barker" went to Brighton. Inquiries' reveal,.that,.Barker: lived in many places in JSngland,.stories of "his" behaviour and activities all adding, to the amazing character of a successful masquerade. , ■