Harry's Story.
Harry Barker was born 3rd January 1886 in Brereton the son of George & Sarah Barker. At some point between 1901 and 1911 he emigrated to Canada. He enlisted on 23rd September 1914 at Valcartier Quebec. His enlistment papers give his height as 5'9" with light brown hair and blue eyes.
He arrive in France on 2nd April 1915 and in November was appointed groom to Brigadier General L J Lipsett General Officer Commanding – 3rd Canadian Division.
On 10th June 1917 he was admitted to hospital suffering from albuminaemia . A week later he was transferred to the UK via Ambulance Transport Warilda. From Shorncliffe he was moved to 2nd Western General Hospital Manchester. On 20th July he was moved again to Boundary Park Mill Hospital Oldham. He died there on 29th July with cause of death given as Nephritis and Uraemia. He was buried in the Churchyard of Brereton-Cum- Smethwick-his own church.
According to his will made after his arrival at Oldham, he left his estate divided between his brothers Frederick, Charles, Tom and John Massey together with his half brother Samuel Herbert Slater.