Biography of Leonard Barratt FOLKER
[Ref. Q.14]
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Profile | |
Index for FOLKER |
Biography of Leonard Barratt FOLKER
[Ref. Q.14]
| Ancestors | |
Profile | |
Index for FOLKER |
Leonard Barratt Folker was the first child of Horace and Margaret Folker and was born at Stroud House in Dene Road, Guildford, Surrey on 8 September 1897. His middle name of Barratt was his mother's maiden name.
When the census of 1901 was taken, the family were still residing at Stroud House. Leonard entered Mill Hill School in 1909 and joined School House. He left there in 1911. He went on to the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst where he was commissioned on 15 June 1915 and subsequently joined the 3rd Lincolnshire Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant.
Leonard served both in France and Belgium during the first world war. He was acting Adjutant between 28 October and 21 December 1917. Whilst commanding a Company between 24 December 1917 and 1 February 1918 he carried the rank of acting Captain. From that same date he bacame acting Captain (additional) commanding a Company until 5 June 1919. The Army Book of 1919 gives his rank as acting Lieutenant.
At some stage, Leonard's father altered the family surname to Shepherd-Folker to respect the connection between the Folker and Shepherd families.
On 5 February 1924, Leonard married Setonette Scott Arnold at St.Saviour's church at Chelsea in London. The respective fathers witnessed the signing of the certificate. At that time, Leonard held the rank of Lieutenant and was stationed at Holywood Barracks at Bulford in Wiltshire. That same year, he was photographed with the officers of the 1st batallion of his regiment. He gained the full rank of captain on 1 October 1925.
Leonard also served as an adjutant with the Bermuda Rifles between 8 October 1931 and 17 October 1935. The Bermuda Rifles were attached to the Lincolnshire Regiment, and in France during the First World War they suffered terrible casualties. During the Second World War the Bermuda Rifles served as a company in the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment in Britain and Europe. Leonard was stationed in India in 1937 according to a note in the address book of his uncle George Newton Folker. He was promoted from Lieutenant-Colonel to Colonel on 16 July 1938.
On the King's birthday on 8 June 1944, Leonard was appointed to be an additional officer of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the Brtish Empire (13342).
At his retirement on 3 December 1948, Leonard held the rank of Major. He was living at 2a Vicars Court in Lincoln when he passed away on 24 June 1971 at the County Hospital. He left a Will.
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