Barker, Collet (Captain) (1784 - 1831)

Born Hackney, Middlesex, England, 31 Dec. 1784; died mouth of Murray River, SA, 30 Apr. 1831 (killed by Aborigines)

Soldier, military administrator. With 39th Regiment in charge of settlements at Fort Wellington, Raffles Bay, Coburg Peninsula, NT, 13 Sept. 1828 to 29 Aug.1829, & King George Sound, W.A., 3 Dec. 1829 (Arrived 29 Nov.) to 7 March 1831 (dep. 26 March). Tried to preserve plants (for P.Lindesay) at RafflesBay, e.g. 28 Oct. 1828, but no indication of success.

Collected specimens incl. mosses & seaweeds at King George Sound, e.g. Mt Melville 20 July 1830. Also there received specimens from J.Kent & W.Parkes. Whereabouts of specimens unknown, except eight pieces of moss attached to page of his journal for 15 Aug. 1830 (now in NSW Archives).

Monument at Mt Barker, S.A.

Source: George, A.S. (2009) Australian Botanist's Companion, Four Gables Press, WA. [consult for source references]