BAKER, William
| Service Number: | 373 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 23 September 1914, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 9th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Murchison South, Victoria, May 1893 |
| Home Town: | Colbinabbin, Campaspe, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Es Salt, Palestine , 3 May 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Jerusalem Memorial, Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Colbinabbin Roll of Honour WW1, Colbinabbin Uniting Church Corporal William Baker Memorial Plaque, Colbinabbin War Memorial, Jerusalem Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 23 Sep 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 373, Melbourne, Victoria | |
|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 373, 9th Light Horse Regiment, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '2' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Karroo embarkation_ship_number: A10 public_note: '' | |
| 11 Feb 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 373, 9th Light Horse Regiment, HMAT Karroo, Melbourne | |
| 16 May 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 373, 9th Light Horse Regiment, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 3 May 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 373, 9th Light Horse Regiment, Es Salt Raid, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 373 awm_unit: 9 Light Horse Regiment awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1918-05-03 |
Help us honour William Baker's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography
"Lance-Corporal William Baker Killed.
During the week the sad news was received from the Defence Department that Lance-Corporal William Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Baker, Colbinabbin East, had been killed in action in Palestine on 3rd May. Lance-Corp. Baker was 25 years of age, and enlisted from Rushworth in September, 1914. He had seen three years and three months of active service up till the time of his death. He was a native of South Murchison." - from the Murchison Advertiser 24 May 1918 (nla.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Faithe Jones
The following letter has been received by Mrs Geo. Baker, Colbinabbin, from Major Charley, a squadron leader of the Aust. Light Horse, in Palestine, and tells how her son, Corporal Baker, met his death : I thought you might like to get a note from someone who was there when your son met his death. I am his squadron leader. It all happened at 9:30 a.m. on the morning of the 3rd inst. Your boy had charge of a Hotchkiss rifle and was in the front line doing his duty when a sudden rush of the enemy came. They threw a bomb, which caught him and wounded the other members of his team and smashed his gun. He suffered no pain. It was all so sudden. Corporal Baker was one of the best lads in my squadron, and was loved by everyone. His mates held him in great esteem. He was so attentive to his duties, so full of courage and ability, so keen, enthusiastic and zealous, and was such a gentleman. He was wafted away suddenly doing his best in the execution of his duty. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your bereavement. Being his mother you will feel his loss so much. Try and take a little consolation in the fact that he died for his country; as so many thousands of others have done in this terrible war. Yours Sincerely, W. T. CHARLEY, Major, 9th L.H., A.I.F.
Murchison Advertiser and Murchison, Toolamba, Mooroopna and Dargalong Express (Vic), 19 July 1918.
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