The Barker family resided in Wallsend and spent many years working in the mines there and in Abermain. Of the nine children, four went off to fight in WWI. The first to enlist was Thomas Garside Barker in 1914 at the age of 20 and due to medical reasons, after being injured at Gallipoli with a gun shot to the jaw, was discharged in 1916.

At only 19 years old, Job Barker enlisted in 1915 and after almost a year in France was discharged and returned home in 1917 due to family reasons.

The oldest of the four boys to enlist Lambert Manfred Barker was also the longest serving, returning home in 1919 after four years and 21 days abroad.

The tragedy lies in the details of their father James and the youngest to serve John Albert Barker.

At the age of 53, James enlisted in 1916 and was killed in action on July 20, 1917 in the field in Belgium.

Youngest to enlist, John at the age of 16, was only on the field for three days before being killed on June 7, 1917 also in Belgium.

A painting of the five Barker boys has been completed by family member Kim Barker and in 2008 was given to the Neath Hotel.

This year’s Anzac Day service will provide hundreds of people, including descendants from the family, with the opportunity of seeing the boys back at their favourite watering hole.

Neath Hotel publicans Brett and Michelle Walton were overwhelmed when they received the painting, knowing the importance and meaning it would have to patrons who frequent their bar.

“It gives the place the feeling that the boys are still here and part of things,” Mrs. Walton said.

The Anzac Day service at the Neath Hotel has always had a very special service with the lighting of Harry Littlefair’s miner’s lamp.

“We have had many descendants come into the hotel and have found all of the things we have here very sentimental,” Mrs. Walton explained.

This year the lamp will be lit by Ron Littlefair, a descendant of Harry’s and is part of the service that is being conducted Rodney Wicks begins at 10am.

A recital of the poem “The Trumpet Calls”, which still does not have an author, will be heard and there will be a Scottish bag piper and a bugle player will be performing The Last Post.