HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. THE
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 1937.
"COLONEL BARKER" IN LIMELIGHT
Latest Exploit in Career of Masquerade
O®
NCE more, as the result of her latest escapade in change of identity, a woman-none other than the one-time debonair "Colonel Barker"-has come into the limelight, and the story of her long and amazing masquerade as a man has bren unfolded.
In the adventure which landed her in the clock at Marl borough-street she adopted the role of "manservant," and it was revealed that in her varied career she
Had played male parts in a repertory company; Joined a cricket club and ridden to hounds: Worked as a kennelmun, poultryman, and chef; and At one period graced the office of reception clerk at a popular West-end hotel.
Having discarded the man's cloth- By this man she has two children, ing she was wearing when arrested, a boy born in 1920 and a girl porn the central figure in the police-court in 1921.
recital of sex personation,
tonplace. Euston-square, N. W..
**
In June, 1919, they went to Paris
Valerie Arkelt-Smith, 42, of Gratto live, and remained there until the end of 1920, when they returned to England, and ran a farm at Bailiff's Court, near Littlehampton.
Was attired in u man's blue over- cont, with, a woman's dark fell hut and a brown
tweed skirt, when alie faced the
magistrate. Mr.
trate, Mr. J. B. Sand- buch, K.C., for the second time.
She had stolen five £i notes from Mrs. Adrian Scolt, of George-street, Hanover-square, who had employed her in the belief that she was a man This is how she came to secure the post.
WEDDING CEREMONY MANY PRESENTS AND VISITS TO THEATRES
Mrs. Arkell-
In October, 1923, Smith parted from Pearce Crouchi, tett Baill's Court and went to Brigh-
ton.
Tirn
Mrs. Scott inserted an advertise- ment in provincial paper for a exploit of oil. manservant, to which Arkell-Smith replied from inslemere.
She suld she had always been in private service, except for two jobs, and was a good cook, and had had experience as a chef.
came the most astounding Mrs. Arkell-Smith resumed c- quaintanceship with Miss Alfreda Emma Haward, daughter of a Littic- hampton
chemist.
iler lover, as Arkell-Smith then was, gave lier many presents, and took her to concerts and theatres. "She' proposed to her, and in
She had been right through her father's hotel, and understood valet-November, 1923, in the name of Vic
house work, and buying.
tor Barker, married Miss Haward at
Brighton. Church,
In
to
She
go
frienda.
wished to make a change and St. Peter's Clage was the beginning
had to London, where she
of Mrs. Arkell-Smith's masquerade,
This
The application further stated:which lasted for six years, and was "I am 42 and a widower, and if only exposed by her convletion al you decide to engage me I will the Old Bailey on a charge of making give you good and faithful service a false statement in a marriage re- to the best of my ability."
Arkell-Smlil secured the job, and It was readily admitted that before her lapse she had given excellent service and every antisfaction.
SECRET REASON Arkell-Smith
had, according her legal representative, a reason for her musquerade, but she did not propose at that moment to divulge why she persistently wore men's ature,
10
in
A woman attacking Women played a prominent part in the U. S. strikes. The photograph shows strike-breakers, at the famous Chevrolet plant. This dramatic scene is an indication of the bitterness per- vading Amerlen's industrial areas.
Man-Trap 'Joke' on P.C. Was Very Bad
RADIO BROADCAST
Lord Chief Justice Mozart Concert from The
Local Studio
DEMONSTRATION with a man- of Sele Gardens, Beeding, were found trap-- 200-year-old rusty ma- not guilty of setting a men-trap at
two metal Jaws-wus Beeding with intent to infliet grievous!
dis- chine with given before the Lord Chief Justice bodily harm. The men were (Lord Hewart) and a jury at Sussex i charged. Assizes recently,
The defence was that there was no Im-Intention to Inflict bodily harm' und that the trap was set as a joke.
gister.
Soon after her "marriage" to Miss Haward, Mrs. Arkell-Smith became a member of the Brighton Repertory Company
at salary of 10s. a week, playing male parts.
She was known as Ivor Gaunt-
An arificial leg was used. lett, and as such obtained a job
Mrs. Pat ell's company.mediately the two jaws sprang to-
Campbell's She took part in several plays, in-gether and gripped the g
Second Mrs. The Se
The case was that in which George Mrs. Tanquer- cluding
Afted Brown (24), a chauffeur, of ny," and toured the country.
George After
Lane, Beeding, and time Mrs. Arkell-Smith Pound The magistrate made it clear that
the and her "wife" went to Andover, Lawrence Newman (23), a gardener, lie was concerned only with
where she conducted an antique theft charge against Arkell-Smith.
He fined her 20s., and ordered her business under the name of "Capt. Barker. While there she joined the to pay £5 costs to Mrs. Scott.
rode to cricket club, and If you agree to try to get some local more honest work and do it as a hounds.
a In not masquerading as
December, 1925, she posed as using man," the magistrate told Arkell-"Sir Victor Barker Bart., Smith, "I have no doubt Mrs, Stor-visiting cards in that name. mant (the probation officer) will do
She incurred a debt for £40 for her best to help you."
woman,
MEETING AT INN THEN MARRIAGE AND BLIGHTED ROMANCE
the
astounding The main part of life story of Mrs. Arkell-Smith was
told to the magistrate-by Det-zerg David Smith.
male clothing and was rued.
The defence was that 12 months' credit was to be given.
Early in 1026 she obtained a posi- tion as manager of a form near Uck-
field.
After a short time she left, and she and Miss Haward parted.
About the beginning of 1927 as "Capt. Victor Barker, D.S.O.," she associated with the then became Arkell-Smith's correct name National Fascist movement at Ken- Lillies Irma Valerie Arkell-Smith,| and she was born at St. Clements, Jersey, on Aug. 27, 1895.
Is
Her father was Mr. Thomas William Barker, a sportsman of in- dependent means.
She came to England with
her
sington.
She
were the uniform. also military medals, and was for some time secretary to one of the prin cipals.
It is not clear how long she was associated with this movement, but
months in the second, division for making a false statement in a mur- riage register."
From February to July, 1932, she was employed as a representative and salesman by a firm of motor agents al Acton Vale. and was locked upon na a competent sales-
(1).
OFFER DECLINED
"A very bad joke," commented Lord Hewart.
Brown offered to put his foot in the trap for a demonstration but his offer was declined.
Thomas Hardy's novel, "The Wood- landers," was quoted during the ease.
which it was alleged by the prose cution that the trap was set to catch mun, in whose front garden it was P.C.R. J. Jameson, the village police
placed.
"In Thomas Hardy's novel, The Woodlanders, this particular type of atman-trap is actually described,” sald
Mr. Eric Neve (prosecuting).
Early in 1934 she occupied a fal Regent's Park with what were con- sidered to be her wife and child. KENNELMAN AND POULTRYMAN
She
left suddenly, owing about 70 to local tradesmen.
She also worked as a chef at Dork-
The Lord Chief Justice: I pre- sume you are going to call Thomas Hardy (Laughter.)
Lord Hewart raised more laughter when an artificial leg and boot were placed in the trap to show how it worked,
On Wave-
A PIANO INTERLUDE Broadcast by Z.B.W. lengths of 355 metres (845 k.e's.), 31.49 metres (0.52 m.c's.).
H.K.T.
.*
12.30-2.10 p.m. European Pro grumme.
12.10 p.m New Symphony Or- ehestra.
1 p.m. Local: Time Signal und Weather Report.
1.03 p.m. Variety Items. 1.25 pm. Reuter Press, Rugby Weather Forecast, Press; Local: Time and Announcements.
1.49 p.m. A Relay of the Rotary Club Tillin Speech from the Roof- Garden of the Hongkong Hotel.
Land of the Setting Sun: Morocco.. Close Down.
Rotarian M. J. 3. Montargis on
2.10
4-7 p.m.
p.m. Chinese Programme, 7-11 pm. European Programmac. 7 p.m.
New Dance Numbers, Fox Trot-At the Balalaika; Quick
Banjo Step With a
on my knee; Blues Where the lazy river goes by; Fox Tro-I found a Rosary; Waltz
Dancing
the Firelight; Fox Trot Love me to-day: Fox Trol-A-nice- cup of tea; Fox Tro-I'm just be ginning to care; Wallz-I'm still in love with you.
Pottle
The same year, as "John HH," she was employed as a kennelman
7.30 p.m. Closing local Stock as Henfield, and also as a poultry, i
Quotations and Hongkong Exchange man at Woodmancute, West Sussex.
That is not Thomas Hardy's boot, Market Report. but was dismissed as unsatisfactory is it?" hetked..
7.35
A Light Saxophone - in both cases.
Recital Morcel Mule WRONG "SUBJECT"
(Rimsky-Korsakov} "Sadko Answering Mr. Neve, Brown in the Chanson Hindoue; Le Cygne (Saint- Malborough witness-box sald: "We have all got Saens); Variations aur different, ideas of a fole. I have (arr. Combelle); La Precieuse (Cou- realised now that is is silly to play a perin, arr. Kreisler),
7.18
The London Novelty p.nt. joke on u policeman."
Orchestra.
Dream of Autumn (Joyce); Charis- Waltz (Phelps); Neapolitan ters
Waltz (Amodio). Nights (Zamecnik): The Midnight
the
She next went to Camden Town, posed as "Sir John Hill," and walked a stick, saying she had a war with wound in the leg.
parents, and they took up residence after a raid on their headquarters at ing and Newquay hotels. st Milford, near Godalming, Surrey.
She received an excellent educa-Hogarth-road, she was summoned by tion, and for two years was at a the police for offences under
Firearms Act. convent school, at Enghien incar Brussels. While there she is supposed to dis- have shown tastes that were tinctly masculine, and shocked the nuns by dressing up us a boy, smok- ing, and playing many pranks.
Her schooldays over, young Valerie -as she then was-returned to Mil-
ford, and became a scoutmistress in the 1st Guildford Troop.
ה
Even now the villagers of Milford
Barker 35. remember Miss "thorough tomboy."
Then war broke out and Mizs Barker, as Sergt. Smith pointed out, is believed to have taken up V.A.D. nursing, but no record of such ser- vice can be traced.
She was for some time nursing at St. Hilder's Hospital, Haslemere, Surrey.
She was also employed in varl- ous other ways during the war, Including service at a remount depot, but she did not remain very long anywhere.
Then came her first taste of ro- mance.
One night in January, 1010, at the Old Dickens Inn at Cobham, she met | her husband, and in the spring of that year they were married,
LED INTO THE DOCK On July 11, 1927, she was charged
In conclusion, Sergt. Smith de- Mr. Neve: You would try it on as "Capt. Barker," at the Old Bailey,clared that there was no doubt Mrs. anyone else? Yes. They would take on two indictments for uttering a forged document with intent to de Arkell-Smith had done considerable it or a joke. Up to then I thought
the police were decent fellows
And would roar with laughter at anything like this? Now you would leave policemen alone?—Yes.
ceive, and with intent to defraud.
She was
charged found not guilty and dis-
eyes
On the occasion she had her bandaged and was led Into the dock by a friend, who stated that "Capt. Barker" had previously suffered from temporary blindness owing to war wounds, and had been warned that any strain on his nerves.would again bring on eye trouble.
The venture was not a success, and eventually resulted, In ruptcy proceedings.
bank-
work as a male servant.
"Drink is the probable cause of
"the officer observed. concerned,
her downfall so far as dishonesty is
8 p.m. Local: Time Signal, Wea-
(Continued on Next Column.)
ther Report and Announcements.
THIS MORNING'S POSTBAG
ISENFRANCHISED", cern, such as, Gas, Light & Power. long to the British Empire, and which after the lease ex-
D would find plenty of sup- The authorities at Home are, ap-Fever's to Chinn af froly that China
Agitation for a reform of the Legis- Jalive Council is long overdue..
A
Soon after this her brother died, port if he commenced an agitation here, for a Principal from the will consent to a renewal of the lease leaving her about £1,000.
tion for representation of the Colonial Office is coming out under for the New Territories, especially as look a flat in Hertford-street, people on the Legislative Coun- the file of Colonial Treasurer and the area has become such à potential W, and lived there some time with an actress as man and wife..
kil. The present system of Financial Secretary. He may realise source of wealth with the discovery In January, 1928. she became electing Unofficial Members is that Hongkong is nothing but a tran- of valuable minerals.
sit port, with no staple industries, and What is going to happen to the Bri "Colonel Barker," and from May un- farce and they are no more re-if the place is taxed much heavier tish part of the Colony when the til September ran cafe.
will go elsewhere New Territories revert to China. presentative of the people than the transit trade are the Official members.
then it will not be necessary to sub- We will have an enormous popula scribe 20 per cent. for protection..
tion, concentrated in Kowloon and on SIMPLE PETER.
the Island, and will have to rely upon the goodwill of China for our water supply. Or has Britain the option of renewing the lease for an Indefinite period?
T. M. W. *New Territories were leased to No Britain for DD years in 1898. option for renewal is mentioned in the Agreement, and no provision has been made for payment of compensation by China for im- provements at termination of lease in 60 years time.
WHEN TIPSTAFF CALLED
The ceremony took place at St. DISCLOSURE THAT ASTONISHED John's Church, Milford, and the bridegroom Smith, 30, described as a bachelor,
Was Harold Arkell-
GAOL GOVERNOR
and a second-lieutenant in the 20th querade as a man was exposed. She Bn. Australian Forces.
was then employed as a reception
lead should come, however, from the Girl Versus Boy Kowloon Residents' Association,
or
many other war-time unions, and his businer" regarding a re-right note when he says that what the two decent clubs in Hongkong where
celving
order:
"Capt.
some similar body, and not from let-DOOR Mr. Bachelor, Because the ters to the Editor of newspaper. Hongkong girl prefers paint and The KRA. would be performing a real service to the whole community Powder to pelling, finger nails to flirt- Perhaps If Mr. alousy" lover. It was not until 1020 that her mas-if they would take up this question.ing, and has slapped his face, she is No VOTE, NO TAXATION. Bachelor used more technique, and behaved like a MAN instead of an They went to live at Hook, near clerk at a West-end lintel.
26th April, 1937.. insufferable, conceited ass, the Hong- Surbiton, and later to London, but, One day the tipstaff walked in,
"Discafran-kong Girl wouldn't be what she is. Your correspondent, like
was in connection chised, in Saturday's issue strikes the The pity is that there's not one or the marriage was doomed to fallure. with "Capt. Bark
Colony needs is less expenditure, not women can get away from the un Film Bet RETURNED TO PARENTS
was taken to Brix-more taxation. There is a lot of wanted attentions of Mr. Bachelor Within six weeks. the bride had ton Gnol, where "he" was handed work to be done, but Government's and his like.
Yet the unpro- returned to her parents, and Lieut. over to a warder. Arkell-Smith went out of her life
Once fruide, "Capt. Barker" ductive staff remains. Take, for in- altogether he returned to Sydney;
asked to see the prison governor stance, the Port Improvement Depart privately. To that astonished in- ment, formed in 1922, an efficient N.T. Lease Australia.
dividual the so-called captain re- body of men, but they have very TSN'T the Hongkong Government ith vealed that "he" was a wORED.
Uttle to do. To overcome Joined woman friend in running a
pursuing a dangerous policy in Capt Barker"
was transferred to their dimeulties two officials from this tea shop in Warminster, and it was Holloway Gaol, and after an applica: Department go on Home leave at the concentrating in the New Territories there she met Ernest. Pearce Crouch,tion in chambers at the Bankruptcy same time. Water supply, with un-fall its activities on providing a suf- } then on Australian soldier.
limited staff and unlimited funds: clent water supply for.. Hongkong? They came to London, and lived Court was released...
April of that year she was this appears to be too great a task We are spending millions of dollars sentenced at the Old Balley to nine for Governraent, it should therefore in building giant reservoirs in a
(Continued on Next Column.) -
be in ute hands of business con- of the world that doesn't actually br
After the war Mrs. Arkell-Smith
together as man and wife,
known
being
Crouch,
she 48 Mrs. Peares
In
plen is no funds".
part of
MS SPINSTER.
睡
A FRIEND argues that he saw "The
Last of Mrs. Cheyney" over three years ago. I noticed that the fim at the King's Theatre was made In 1936, but he sill insists that he has seen it before. Can you settle the argument.
BET I'M RIGHT He wins. Norma Shearer ap- peared in cartier M.G.M. edition of Last of Mrs. Cheyney" in 1933. Current production is a new with new stars.
im
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From the Studio. A terlude at the Plano by Doreen
Mo. Mozart Recital.
.by Eva Turner (soprano); William Knight (base) and Lindsay A. Lafford (pianoforte).
Programme.
1. Harlem; 2. "Street Scene"----' Morning; 3. A rhyme for love; 4. Who's afraid of love? B. Goodnight, My Love!
9.30 pm. London-News and An-
1. A Talk; 2. Soprano Solos- "The Marriage of Figaro"-Whither nouncements.
- 3. .9.55 p.m. Suite for Flute, Vio- vanished. I forget what I Duct The Marriage of Figaro lin, Viola, Violoncello and Harp, Ah! Cruel till now; 4. Planoforte Op.91 (D'Indy), played by Quin- The 1st movement (Allegro) from tette Instrumental de Paris. Sonata No. XVI in C Major: 3, Bass a. Entree
sonale; b. Air Solos "Il Seraglio"When a maiden désuet; c. Sarabande; d. Farándole
Morrlage of varies.
10.12 p.m.
Lakes
your fancy;
Song "Cazenova” min So. Sir Paget: 6. Ducts-1 Giovanni-Now join thy hand The Memory, of a Kiss; by Arthur with mine; "The Magic Flute The Fear (baritone) with the Coliseum
Theatre Orchestra. Manly Heart.
10.15
6.35
"Medea" Overture p.m.
D.I London-Big Ben. (Cherubin!) played by The Milan "World Affairs." A talk by H. Wick- Symphony Orchestra, conducted by ham Steed.
(Continued on Page 4.) Lorenzo Molajoll.
8.45 p.m.. London-Crowning the King 2. A talk by Owen F. Mors- hend, D.8.0., M.V.O., M.D., (Librarian to His Majesty King George VI),
9 p.m.
chestra.
Or-1
مدحمني
TYPEWRITING AND COPYING.
Alfredo and His OrG
In Gypey Land (arr. Michaeloff) Yiddische Wedding Fantasia (arr.) Michaelaft); Tell me Again (Gronz); Rusalan Gipsy Sketch (Ferraris).
9.15 p.m. From the Studio, In-
Gestetner
Plant 29350
„ŠLOUCESTER ABLAGE.