Vivian Ernold BAKER

Regimental number3247
Place of birthMurrurundi, New South Wales
SchoolMurrurundi Public School, New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarmer
AddressPleasant Side, Willow Tree, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Height5' 9"
Weight144 lbs
Next of kinFather, A.A. Baker, Blandford, Murrurundi, New South Wales
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date4 August 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll4 August 1915
Place of enlistmentNewcastle, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name3rd Battalion, 11th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/20/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 2 November 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll55th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 20 July 1916
Place of death or woundingFromelles, France
Date of death20 July 1916
Age at death from cemetery records22
Place of burialNo known grave
Commemoration detailsV.C. Corner (Panel No 11), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
160
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: Alfred Andrew and Isabella Eglantine Louisa BAKER, Blandford, New South Wales
Family/military connectionsBrother: 5659 Pte Clarence Alfred BAKER, 1st Bn, returned to Australia, 10 January 1918.
Other details

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength 3rd Bn, Tel el Kebir, 5 February 1916.

Transferred to, and taken on strength of, 55th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 13 February 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Killed in action, 20 July 1916.

Red Cross File No 200502 has statement from 1427 Pte A.W.ROBINSON, 55tn Bn, 27 April 1917: 'Baker was killed in our front line trenches at Fleurbaix about 9 a.m. on the 20th July, 1916, when shooting over the parapet. He was hit by a bullet in the left temple, the bullet going right through his steel helmet and came out behind the right ear. I was near him when he was killed and afterwards took his belongings to Corporal Marshall of A Coy ... His body was left in the trenches when the 55th Batt. was withdrawn on the morning of the 20th July.'

Second statement, 3152 Pte G. PERRYMAN, 55th Bn (patient, 12th General Hospital, Rouen), 17 May 1917: 'He was killed at Fromelles during the attack by a bullet. He was killed instantaneously ... I was only a short distance away when the casualty happened. He was buried near Sailly, a service being read over him by the Rev. Green.'

Third statement, 4861 Corporal W.G.F. NIXEY, 55th Bn, 2 March 1917: 'I did not see him killed but I saw him buried in the Cemetery at Saille on the Armentiere (sic) and he has a cross on his grave with name, etc. The French are looking after his grave. I forgot to say that he was killed at Yeinelles.'

Fourth statement, 2661 Pte J.J. GAMBLE, 55th Bn (patient, 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, England), 2 February 1917: 'Baker and two others under Cpl. Gamble were told on July 19th to take sand bags and shovels to dig communication trenches from first line back to where it was taken. He was shot in the head on the morning of 20th[.] I was Baker's section Commander.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsName entered incorrectly as Vivian Arnold BAKER on Embarkation Roll.
SourcesNAA: B2455, BAKER Vivian Ernold
Red Cross File No 200502