.jpg)
A private who lost his eye fighting in France during World War I has been lying in an unmarked grave for 50 years. Now, another veteran wants to give him the recognition he deserves.
19-09-2023 RSL's Lyle Raison at the unmarked grave or World War I veteran Sydney Harold Barker at Bellbrae Cemetery. A tree was planted instead of a headstone. Picture: Brad Fleet
For nearly 50 years, World War I veteran Sydney Harold Barker has been lying in an unmarked grave at Bellbrae Cemetery.
An old tree, which has been cut back twice, is the only tribute to the Jan Juc man who died in 1974.
Now, Torquay RSL member Lyle Raison, a veteran of conflicts in Malaysia and Vietnam, is determined to make sure Mr Barker gets the recognition he deserves.
Mr Raison has been scouring cemetery records across the Surf Coast, trying to identify graves without headstones belonging to veterans.
So far, Mr Barker’s gravesite is the only unmarked one he has found.
“The reason the graves are unmarked is mostly for financial reasons,” Mr Raison said.
“In Sydney’s case, his grave is in the Wesleyan Section and in my experience over the years, many people buried in that area didn’t have gravestones because it was their belief not to ask (for money).
“But some veterans just didn’t want to be linked to the horrors of war.”
A Torquay RSL member is searching for the family of World War I veteran Sydney Harold Barker. Picture: Brad Fleet
Australian Army records show Mr Barker was born in Jan Juc on May 26, 1893.
He lived and worked locally before enlisting as a private in the 57th Australian Infantry Battalion on October 24, 1916.
He left Australia for France on December 16 that year and served with the battalion until he was shot in the face and lost his right eye during a battle near Nauroy, France on September 29, 1918.
“He was wounded one week before all the Australians left the line,” Mr Raison said.
“He was unlucky.”
Very little is known about Mr Barker’s life after his return home.
He moved back to Jan Juc and married a woman, who is buried next to him in an unmarked grave.
It’s not known if they had any children or other relatives.
Mr Raison said he was desperately trying to find a next-of-kin to seek permission to have a plaque, recognising Mr Barker’s service, placed on the
grave.
“I am hoping that some of his family will read this and say ‘that’s my great- uncle, or grandpop, or I married his granddaughter’, and come forward so we can pursue it,” Mr Raison said.
If a next-of-kin cannot be found, Mr Raison will have to apply for an exemption to make changes to the gravesite.
Mr Raison said, if approved, the gravestone would pay tribute to and acknowledge Mr Barker’s service.
“It’s a very personal and touching feeling when you achieve these small milestones to get recognition for a veteran who passed and who has done a significant thing,” he said.
“I do it so the future generation can walk through the cemetery and see that he was a World War I veteran.
“These people went off on the great crusade to end all wars. It’s likely he could have come home and lived a reasonably normal life, on the other hand he could’ve lived with cold sweats every night.”
Anyone with information on Mr Barker should call Mr Raison on 0439 500 565.
By Olivia Shying
@oliviashying
September 19, 2023 - 7:00PM
Geelong Advertiser
