Name
William Thomas Baker (MM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
12/10/1916
30
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
18149
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2C.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Christ Church Memorial, Watford,
Watford Printers Memorial, Watford,
Sun Engraving Company Memorial, Watford,
Lowestoft War Memorial, Suffolk,
St Margaret's Church Memorial, Lowestoft, Suffolk
Pre War
Son of William Thomas and Harriet Mary Ann (nee GROOM) BAKER of Lowestoft, Suffolk; husband of Jessie Elizabeth (nee RIVETT) BAKER of South Lowestoft.
His parents married 14 September 1875 in Lowestoft. William died 1922 aged 68; Harriet died 1931 aged 75; both in the Mutford, Suffolk, district.
William was born 23 December 1885 in Lowestoft, and baptised 7 March 1886 at St Margaret’s, Lowestoft. He married 1905 in the Mutford district; they had two children. He resided in Watford. Jessie remarried 1922 in the Mutford district to William B MANNING, and died 10 September 1983 in Lowestoft aged 97.
On the 1891 Census, aged 5 he lived in Lowestoft, with his parents and seven siblings. On the 1901 Census, an apprentice printer aged 15, he still lived in Lowestoft, with his parents and five siblings. On the 1911 Census, a printer’s machine minder aged 25, he lived in Wealdstone, Middx, with his wife and two children.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Bedford; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and awarded the Military Medal. He was killed in action at the Battle of Le Transloy in which the whole Battalion was engaged. All Companies came under intense fire during the attack on the enemy’s trenches.
Additional Information
Unfortunately, William’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
