John Henry Baker #1002

John Baker (1897-1917) was born at Bilambil Creek, Northern NSW in 1897 to George Gray Baker and Hannah Elizabeth Hein. He gave his occupation as a labourer when he enlisted at Brisbane, 22 February 1916, just 18 years old.

Following training at Enoggera Camp, he was first assigned to the 1st Reinforcements for the 41st Infantry Battalion and embarked for overseas onboard HMAT Demosthenes 20 May 1916, arriving in England, 8 weeks later. Baker trained at Larkhill, in Wiltshire and was transferred to the 3rd Pioneer Battalion before proceeding overseas to serve in the front lines. 

His war service was interrupted when he contracted mumps, requiring hospitalisation, and he re-joined his unit in February 1917.  Four months later Private Baker was killed in action on 27 June 1917, at Ploegsteert, Belgium and was buried in Kandahar Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

John Baker went to war with his three brothers -
James Baker, #731, Leslie Baker, #732 and Hedley Baker, #733 - all served with the 3rd Pioneer Battalion
and two half brothers - Alexander Butcher, #730 11th & 5th Light Horse Regiments, and Wilfred Butcher, #1928A 25th Infantry Battalion
and cousin - Victor Baker, #4146 2nd Infantry Battalion

Victor Roy Baker, #4146 died of wounds, 6 May 1917
Wilfred Ernest Butcher #1928A was killed in action, 18 July 1918.

Read more ...

• Service record: BAKER, John Henry
• Embarkation roll: 1st Reinf. for 41st Infantry Battalion
• Roll of Honour | Roll of Honour Circular
• Australian Imperial Force Unit War Diaries, 1914-1918, 3rd Australian Pioneer Battalion
• Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• War Graves Photographic Project