Torquay RSL is looking for the family of a World War One veteran buried on the Surf Coast to seek their permission to place a headstone on his gravesite.
Through a review of veteran burial sites, Torquay RSL’s Lyle Raison discovered Private Sydney Harold Barker in an unmarked grave in the Wesleyan Section, Bellbrae cemetery.
Private Barker was born in 1983 in Jan Juc, living and working locally before enlisted in the Australian Army in 1916.
He served in France for nearly two years before being wounded by a gunshot to the face in September 1918, losing his right eye as a result.
Returning to Australia in 1919, Private Barker lived in the Torquay area until his death in 1974, after which he was buried without a headstone at Bellbrae.
Mr Raison, himself a veteran of Vietnam and Malaysia, has been checking all local WW1 veterans’ graves to ensure they are recognised with official headstones.
He said many servicemen did not have headstones for a variety of reasons, including religion and finance, but some “just don’t want to be linked to their horrid past”.
To recognise Private Barker’s service, Torquay RSL wishes to place a War Graves headstone on his gravesite, which currently appears abandoned and unkempt.
“Before being able to move forward, the RSL must have permission from Sydney’s next-of-kin, or succession next-of-kin,” Mr Raison said.
“We are desperately seeking a descendant of Sydney Barker, in particular one who can lead to identifying his next-of-kin.”
Anyone with information on Sydney Harold Barker can contact Torquay RSL on 0409 297 441 or Lyle Raison on 0439 500 565.
