Notes
The story of Valerie Lilias Arhelt Smith, who, as the dashing, well-respected Colonel Victor Barker, married Elfrida Hayward in 1923. Baker was sent to prison after a trial at the Old Bailey in 1929. On her release she once again assumed life as a man and her life thereafter went from tragedy to fame and back to tragedy again.
Description
In an England devastated by the terrible losses of World War I, Colonel Victor Barker was a rare man indeed. Dashing, well-respected, with impeccable manners, he was a model gentleman. His wife was proud of his good breeding and fine looks, and his young son worshipped him as a war hero. But beneath the army uniform Barker hid an astounding secret. In 1929, following a sensational trial, the good colonel was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment. For Colonel Barker was, in fact, a woman. Her real name was Valerie Lilias Arkell-Smith, the most infamous "man-woman” of them all. Among Rose Collis’ books are A Trouser-Wearing Character, K.D. Lang, and The Mammoth Book of Lesbian Erotica.
Collections
Call number
920 BAR
Subjects
Publication
London : Virago, 2001
Physical description
308 p.; 23 cm