James Barker

The son of a Derbyshire pub landlord, James Barker was originally a member of the Derby and County A & CC, won the Midland Countries 100 y five times (1911-14, 1919), was twice the winner of the 220 y (1913-14), and was only 19-years-old when he ran in the 100 m at the 1912 Olympic Games. The following year he placed second to Willie Applegarth in the 100 y at the AAA Championships and later in 1913 claimed his most notable victory when he defeated Olympic relay gold medalists Vic d’Arcy and Applegarth over 100 m in Berlin. Barker again reached the AAA 100 y final in 1914, which was once again won by Applegarth.

During the war, Barker served with the RAMC and after the hostilities continued racing, mostly at provincial meetings, with the 1919 Midland Counties 100 y title being his last major victory. When he ended his career, the former schoolteacher became a manufacturing chemist and part-time journalist reporting on local athletics for the Nottingham Evening Post. A keen pigeon fancier Barker regularly broadcast on the subject on the radio and during World War II was the Officer commanding the Army Pigeon Service. Barker also played football for Blackwell Colliery, Basford Town and occasionally turned out for Nottingham Forest reserves.

Personal Bests: 100y – 10.2 (1913); 100 – 10.9 (1913); 220y – 23.4 (1913).