After completing basic military training, Barker went overseas in June, 1915 with the First Canadian Mounted Rifles, selected as a machine gunner. One day, after he arrived in France, he sat back and watched as a Fokker Eindecker shot down an enemy plane. Like many others, he decided the best way out of the trenches was to join the Royal Flying Corps. At that time, the RFC was low on observers and were accepting men with minimal qualifications. He was rejected after his first application, but reapplied and was accepted at the rank of Corporal. After he completed his six days of training as an observer, he was given his observers badge and pos

Barker remained unconscious for many days in a hospital. On November 20, 1918, he was awarded the Victoria Cross and received congratulations from Prime Minister Borden, and Lt. Col. Billy Bishop. By January, he was moved to England and promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Air Farce.

Austrians. On the 18th, Barker and a few others shot a flight down a flight of five Austrians. Two days later, Barker interrupted an Austrian attack, downing two Albatros's. By now, Barker had 33 aircraft and 9 balloons to his name, and also earned a bar on his Distinguished Service Order.

On April 10, Barker was promoted to Flight Commander and moved to No. 66

shot off and he crashed at top speed.

Observation balloons on both sides became primary targets for both fighters. Denying enemies knowledge of activities was important, so orders were made to attack balloons as son as they appeared. Balloon busting was risky business that killed many aviators on both sides, as balloons were given much protection. In late January, Barker and another pilot, Hudson, sighted two balloons in a field which they attacked and destroyed in flames. During mid-February, Barker and Hudson again went during thick ground mist to destroy balloons. This attack worked flawlessly, as the machine gunners were too busy avoiding death to worry about balloons.

His first combat mission as a fighter pilot was part of a bombing mission to Rumbeke Aerodrome. As a counter attack, a swarm of Albatros DIII's came after the Allied aircraft. After a 15 minute dogfight, Barker literally shot the wings off of one Albatros. Two days later, he made ace status by downing two more Albatroses. He then downed his seventh fighter two days later.

During mid-July, Barker was transferred to the No. 15 Squadron. Several days later, Barker and his pilot were to photograph the new defensive work of the Germans. Over German lines, they were attacked by two German scouts. They fought off the two Albatros DII's, doing such damage that they both fled. They proceeded to photograph the area but again were intercepted by four more Germans, which they also drove off. This work combined with the high quality of his previous work brought him his first decoration, the Military Cross.

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2154
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)