Regimental number | 9470 |
Date of birth | |
Place of birth | Smithfield, South Australia |
School | St Peter's School Collegiate, Adelaide, South Australia |
Religion | Church of England |
Occupation | Clerk |
Address | 113 South Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia |
Marital status | Single |
Age at embarkation | 18 |
Next of kin | Mother, Mrs A M Baker, 113 South Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia |
Previous military service | Served in the Junior Cadets (Compulsory Military Training scheme), South Australia; 11th Field Company Army Engineers. |
Enlistment date | |
Rank on enlistment | Gunner |
Unit name | Field Artillery Brigade 6, Reinforcement 1 |
AWM Embarkation Roll number | 13/34/2 |
Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A34 Persic on |
Rank from Nominal Roll | Captain |
Unit from Nominal Roll | 4th Squadron Australian Flying Corps |
Recommendations (Medals and Awards) |
Military Medal Showed great gallantry and devotion to duty repairing lines and maintaining communications near Gueudecourt. Recommendation date: |
Other details from Roll of Honour Circular | Joined the staff of the Bank of New South Wales, Adelaide branch, 2 February 1915. |
Date of death | |
Age at death from cemetery records | 21 |
Place of burial | Escenaffles Communal Cemetery, Hainault, Belgium |
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial | 188 |
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Parents: Annie Martha and the late Richmond BAKER, 55 Park Terrace, North Unley, South Australia |
Medals |
Distinguished Flying Cross 'This Officer has carried out some forty low flying raids on hostile troops, aerodromes, etc. and has taken part in numerous offensive patrols; he has, in addition, destroyed eight hostile machines. In all these operations he has shown exceptional initiative and dash, never hesitating to lead his formation against overwhelming odds, nor shrinking from incurring personal danger.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61 Date: Military Medal 'At GUEUDECOURT as telephonist to F.O.O. showed great gallantry on the 11th December, 1916. The O.P. was on a forward slope in our front line system and under observation and constant attention of enemy snipers. BAKER when endeavuring to maintain communication went four times through enemy barrage, which ultimately completely destroyed the O.P. trench, and repaired the line in thirty places while under heavy fire. During the last six weeks BAKER has on several occasions rendered equally good service and shown great devotion to duty.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 116 Date: MM Bar Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 219 Date: |
Other details | Served two years with 16th Battery, Field Artillery Brigade; while with that unit was awarded Military Medal and Bar. Transferred to Australian Flying Corps, promoted Captain, awarded Distinguished Flying Cross. |