Nicholas Barker (Royal Navy officer)


Nicholas John Nick Barker, CBE was a senior Royal Navy officer and commanding officer of the survey ship.
While permanently stationed in the South Atlantic, he warned the British Ministry of Defence of increased activity of the Argentine forces and the potential of an invasion of the Falkland Islands. Despite this vocalization, the United Kingdom took no action and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher claimed there had been no warning. Barker's warnings were dismissed in Whitehall as an attempt to save the Endurance, which was due to be paid off as part of defence cuts. The conflict he had tried to forewarn would later be called the Falklands War. Barker was made a Commander of the British Empire in October 1982 for his actions during the war.

Career

Barker served in the Royal Navy between 1951 and 1988. Besides Endurance, he held the following commands:,,, and . He was also commander of the Fishery Protection Squadron between 1984 and 1986.

Publications