ALBERT FREDERICK BARKER
Born: 1866, Isleham, Cambridgeshire.
Died: 28th June 1900; age: 34; Died of Enteric Fever, at Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa.
ENTERIC FEVER Enteric Fever (eneterica serotype bacteria) was a rampant bacterial infection during the South Africa Boer War – 1899 – 1902.
This systemic disease, now known as Typhoid Fever, from the bacterium Salmonella typhi, is characterised by fever and abdominal pain. The disease is spread via the lymphatic system and can affect other parts of the body, or even the whole body. The symptoms usually developed a week or two after a person had became infected bringing on a high temperature, headaches, coughs, lethargy, aches and pains, lose of appetite, sickness and diarrhoea. After 2 – 3 weeks intestinal bleeding.
Enteric Fever was originally thought to be spread via dust storms and flies.
Human carriers with acute illness can contaminate the surrounding water supply through their faeces, which contains a high concentration of the bacteria. The polluted water supply can, in turn, taint the food supply. Enteric (Typhoid) Fever is then contracted by drinking, or eating the contaminated food or water. This bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage.
In 1897, an effective vaccine was developed by Almroth Wright and William Leisman, at the Army Medical School, Netley. At the time of the Boer War, the new inoculation had many side effects, and soldiers refused the voluntary immunisation. The inoculation was still voluntary in August 1914, when Great Britain entered the First World War.
Residence: 28, College Street, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.
Rank: Private: Service Number: 814.
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 1st Battalion, South Africa Field Force.
Clasps Awarded: Cape Colony, Orange Free State & Transvaal.
CENSUS
1871 Kirtling Green, Cambridgeshire.
Albert was 4 years old and living with his parents & siblings.
Rushforth Barker, 44, a Police Constable, born Histon, Cambridgeshire.
Emma Barker (nee Dean), 40, born Great Shelford, Cambridgeshire.
William Charles Barker, 9, born Isleham, Cambridgeshire.
Florence Jeanette Barker, 8, born Isleham, Cambridgeshire.
Harry Victor Barker, 2, born Isleham, Cambridgeshire.
1881 Debden Road, Saffron Walden, Essex.
Albert was 14 years old, a Railway Clerk. He was Boarder at the family home of 35 year old, Thomas Colville, a Railway Porter.
1891 6, Station Road, Whitwick, Leicestershire.
Albert was 24 years old, he was married, and a Railway Number Taker. He was 1 of 2 Lodgers at the family home of 36 year old, George Taylor, a Railway Signalman.
In 1891, Albert’s wife and sons were living at the home of his wife’s widowed mother & sisters – 7, Cotton Lane, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk.
Louisa Deacon (nee Lambert), 70, born Bury St. Edmunds.
Eliza Ann Deacon, 46, born Bury St. Edmunds.
Maria Deacon, 32, a Tailoress, born Bury St. Edmunds.
Sarah, 27.
Albert, 1.
Victor, 6 months.
In 1888, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, Albert married Sarah Deacon, born 1863, Bury St. Edmunds.
They had 4 children:
Albert Edward Barker, born May 1889, Bury St. Edmunds.
Victor Algiers Barker, born October 1890, Bury St. Edmunds.
Percy Reginald Barker, born December 1897, Kettering, Northamptonshire – baptised: 6th August 1898, at St. Peter & St. Paul Church, Kettering, Northamptonshire – parents Sarah & Albert Frederick, a Railway Porter – family home at 66, Alexandra Street, Kettering.
Maude May Barker, born 1900, Kettering – died 1915, Bury St. Edmunds.
During the First World World, Albert & Sarah’s son, Percy Reginald Barker was KiA 24th March 1918. He was ranked a Lance Corporal, service number 12345 for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, 11th Battalion. Percy is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, Somme, France.
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