Barker was the eldest son of Robert Barker M.D., of
Hammersmith, and his wife Hannah Whitehead. He went to
India in 1749 and in 1757, during the
Seven Years' War, commanded the artillery at the Capture of
Chandannagar and at the
Battle of Plassey. In 1762 he went on an expedition to
Manila in the
Philippines. Two years later he returned to
India to protect the
Nawab wazir of Oudh Shuja-ud-Daula. he became likewise provincial commander-in-chief in Bengal to the great disgust of Sir
Richard Fletcher. However he exceeded his authority by committing the
East India Company to guaranteeing a treaty and by confronting a possible
Maratha Empire invasion. In 1781 he was created a
baronet, of
Bushbridge in the
County of Surrey. Barker's ability as an officer won him the friendship and esteem of Clive. ==Family==