Regimental number | 814 |
Place of birth | Williamstown, Victoria |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Painter |
Address | 70 Curzon Street, North Melbourne, Victoria |
Marital status | Married |
Age at embarkation | 25 |
Height | 5' 3.25" |
Weight | 133 lbs |
Next of kin | Wife, Mrs. F. I. Baker, 70 Curzon Street, North Melbourne, Victoria |
Previous military service | Nil |
Enlistment date | |
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll | |
Place of enlistment | Melbourne, Victoria |
Rank on enlistment | Private |
Unit name | 31st Battalion, D Company |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/48/1 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 31st Battalion |
Fate | Killed in Action |
Date of death | |
Place of burial | No known grave |
Commemoration details | V.C. Corner (Panel No 3), Australian Cemetery Memorial, Fromelles, France |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 118 |
Other details |
War service: Egypt, Western Front Embarked Melbourne, 9 November 1915; disembarked Suez, 7 December 1915. Promoted Lance Corporal, Ferry Post, 3 April 1916. Found guilty, 5 June 1916, of neglect of duty, Moascar, 5 June 1916: deprived of Lance Stripe by Commanding Officer of 31st Bn. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force, 16 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916. Wounded in action, 20 July 1916. Now, 28 July 1916, reported missing. Court of Enquiry, held in the field, 1 August 1917, pronounces fate as 'Killed in Action, 20 July 1916'. Statement, Red Cross File No 200504, 903 Pte R.W. KITCHEN, D Company, 31st Bn, 15 December 1916: Witness says he saw the soldier lying dead in their own trenches.' Second statement, Lt S. TOWNS, C Company, Lewis Gun School, 2 May 1917: 'He was killed at Fromelles on July 19-20th. I did not see this happen but I saw him buried some 2 days later at Sailley (sic) in a portion set apart for a military cemetery.' Third statement, 1030 Pte J. SOUTHAM, D Company, 31st Bn (patient, Richmond Military Hospital), 27 June 1917: I was tld by Pte. McBain (D. Co. XIV. 31. A.I.F.) that W.H. Baker was killed (I believe shot through the head), during the attack at Fleurbaix on July 19/16. We did not take the ground and he was left in the German lines.' Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
Miscellaneous details | Mother, Mrs H Baker, 64 Holden Street, North Fitzroy, Victoria |
Sources | NAA: B2455, BAKER William Henry
Red Cross file 200504 |