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Lancashire Evening Post, Friday 27 February 1920
TRAINING SOLDIERS.
Squire's Gate Centre Opened.
The King's Lancashire Convalescent Centre, at Squire's Gate, for the treatment and training of
disabled soldiers was formally opened on Friday by the Minister of Pensions, Sir Laming
Worthington-Evans, Bart., in the presence of a large and representative gathering of ladies and
gentlemen, who assembled in the Gymnasium.
Prior to the opening ceremony the Minister of Pensions, accompanied by Mr. Geo.
Crystal, C.B., permanent secretary to the Ministry of Pensions; Mr. Fred Wilkinson, Director of
Education, Bolton, and chief technical adviser to the Ministry of Pensions; Dr. Wilson, technical
adviser to the Ministry of Pensions; Major Stoddart Walker, of the Ministry of Pensions; Colonel
Rostock; Mr. Mellor, of St. Annes, Chairman of the Central Fund; and a number of other gentlemen,
made a tour of inspection of the various departments, Colonel Shea, the Medical Superintendent of
the Centre, and Mr. Frank Thornley, B.A., the Chief Training Officer, escorting the company and
explaining the respective trades in which the men were seen at work.
Colonel F. H. Shea presided over the meeting in the Gymnasium, and there was a
strong platform of representative gentlemen connected with the Ministry of Pensions, Council of the
Central Fund, as well as Mr. A. L. Parkinson, M.P., the Mayor of Blackpool (Coun. E. H. Howe), the
Town Clerk (Mr. D. L. Harbottle), etc.
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Captain Howard Redmayne Harker M.C.
 Howard Redmayne Harker (1891-1919), was born in Prestwich,
Manchester, the son of Lancashire architect John Dent
Harker. He was educated at Lawrence House School, St.Annes-on-Sea, Rossall School,
Fleetwood and Manchester University.
He joined the Royal Flying Corps and passed his Royal Aero Club
Aviators’ Certificate at Birmingham in May 1916. He went on to become a First World
War flying ace credited with five aerial victories and was awarded the Military
Cross.
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Supplement to the London
Gazette, 9 January 1918
2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Howard Redmayne Harker, R.F.C.,
Spec. Res.
For conspicuous gallantry and
devotion to duty. For nearly, a year he has carried out extremely valuable work in
taking aeroplane photographs and leading bombing raids far behind the enemy lines,
often in the face of great opposition and trying weather conditions.
On a recent occasion while
returning from a successful bombing raid his formation was attacked by more than
twice its number, but by his fine offensive spirit and skilful leadership, the
enemy were dispersed. He has consistently set a splendid example to his brother
officers.
Edinburgh Gazette, 10th January
1918
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He died of influenza at Tidworth Barracks Hospital in February 1919. The
influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than all the fighting in World War
One.
http://www.theaerodrome.com/aces/england/harker.php
Grave of Howard Redmayne Harker,
Manchester
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