Name
William Arthur Baldwin (MM)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Military Medal
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
The National Roll of the Great War noted that William Arthur Baldwin volunteered in September 1914. The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour listed him for the first time in October 1914, serving with the Garrison Artillery, before being transferred to the Royal Field Artillery (RFA) by December 1914. After his training he was drafted to France on 9th July 1915 where he served with the RFA as a Driver and Bombardier.
The National Roll of the Great War indicated that he took part in fighting in various sectors, and was in action in many battles, including those of Arras, the Somme, Cambrai and St Quentin.
In December 1917 the Parish Magazine recorded that William had been wounded, and it may have been at this time he was awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the Field. He continued service with the RFA through to the end of the War and was sent with the Army of Occupation to Germany and was stationed in Cologne. He was also recorded in the Absent Voter Records in Autumn 1918 and Spring 1919, serving with 50th Brigade RFA, and he gave his address at 85 Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley. He was demobilised in 1920.
William was born on 3rd March 1897 at Abbots Langley, and in the 1911 Census the Baldwin family was registered living at 85 Breakspeare Road. William’s father William George Baldwin worked as a Plumber, and with his wife, Nellie, the couple had had two sons and four daughters. In 1911 William (junior) was recorded working as a Page Boy Domestic.
William (senior) joined the Royal Flying Corps in July 1916, and was discharged wounded in May 1918. He survived the War, but died from his wounds on 21st June 1919.
William (junior) survived the War
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
