James William Baker (Junior)

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Tue, 29/09/2015 - 08:56

First Name:

James

Middle Name:

William

Last Name:

Baker

Date of Birth:

Monday, February 18, 1895

Mother's Name:

Lucy Elizabeth Baker (nee Marsden)

Father's Name:

James Baker

Date Enlisted:

Monday, September 27, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

4th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Monday, November 6, 1916

Place of Death:

France

Cause of Death:

Wounded in action

Details:

James Baker (Service No 4449) was born in Bulli, N.S.W.

James enlisted in the AIF when he was 21 years old. He was single and employed as a coal miner at that time, and had previously served with the CMF.

James embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A62 Wandilla with 14th Reinforcement, 4th Battalion on 3rd February 1916. He arrived in Egypt on 7th March 1916 and was sent to France on 4th April 1916.

On 22nd May 1916 James was admitted to hospital in France suffering from tonsilitis, and then to hospital in England on 10th June 1916 with influenza.

He returned to his unit in France on 29th October 1916. On 5th November 1916 the 4th Battalion was in action at Fleurs, France, when James was wounded, sustaining a shell wound to the head. He was evacuated to 36th Casualty Clearing Station for treatment but died of his wounds the following day.

James is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L' Abbe, Plot V, Row F, Grave 8.

James was the only member of the Baker family who did not return home.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, BAKER J W