Private Frank Barker, 10th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment died in Germany as a prisoner of war on 16th September 1918. The cause of death was given as “P.U.O.” (Pyrexia of unknown origin), which was usually the term given to trench fever – an unpleasant bacterial infection transmitted by body lice.
News of his death obviously took some time to reach his family as the Weekly Casualty List (War Office & Air Ministry ) 26th November 1918 reported that he was included in those “previously listed as missing, now reported prisoners of war”. In fact, he had died more than two months earlier.
Private Frank Barker is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany and is commemorated locally on Shirley war memorial.
We haven’t been able to trace anything about Frank’s connection with Shirley, or his family, other than his effects went to his widow, Lizzie.
If you have any further information, please let us know.
Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian
tel.: 0121 704 6977
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk
Solihull Life 
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