Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

John Henry Baker was one of thousands who bravely fought for his country and sacrificed his life while performing his duty. Born on the 12th of July 1886, in Colac, Victoria, John Henry Baker grew up as the son of William and Alice Baker, in ‘Nareen,’ Coleraine, in Victoria. Any siblings John had are unknown, although he didn’t grow up as an only child, as he wasn't married and his niece was mentioned in his will. John Henry Baker attended Colac State School, and he worked as a farmer until his enlistment in 1914.

At age 29, on the 10th of September 1914, John Henry Baker decided to enlist in the war at Hamilton, Victoria. With no wife or family to care for or any negative impacts on his life, John believed it was right to serve his country, and dreamt about courage and heroism. Here he was assessed through a medical examination, to evaluate and see if he was fit to serve in the war. Standing at 5ft 9in, measuring 166lbs, with blue eyes, ‘yellowish’ hair and a fair complexion, John Henry was a natural British subject and was deemed fit to serve in the war. He was assigned to the 8th Light Horse Regiment as a Private, and on the 15th of September, 1914, he took an oath to “well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force.” On this day he was fully enlisted in the war, and on the 25th of February, 1915, John Henry Baker boarded the HMAT A16 Star Of Victoria in Melbourne Victoria, where his journey of war began.

His journey began in Egypt, where the HMAT A16 Star of Victoria landed in Alexandria. This is where the bulk of Baker’s training took place. Little is known about his time here, but on the 16th of May, 1915, Baker embarked on the H.M.T. Menominee to Gallipoli, sent off as reinforcements, where he saw his first sights of war. Here in Gallipoli, he proved himself steadfast in battle, and on the 31st of July, 1915, he was promoted to Lance Corporal, for his prowess in battle. Shortly after his promotion, everything went downhill.

During the August Offensive, which was a series of battles to gain higher ground and trenches occupied by the Turkish Ottomans, the 8th and 10th Light Horse Regiments had to fight as infantry, and lead the charge in four lines of 150 men each at the Nek. John Henry Baker and his comrades began the assault, storming out of the trenches on the 7th of August 1915, at 4:30 am. The 8th Light Horse Regiment was met with gunfire and shrapnel, and Baker witnessed much slaughter before being brought down by a gunshot wound in his left leg. John Henry Baker was able to receive medical attention and had to have both his left leg and right foot amputated. Half of the 8th Light Horse Regiment were killed this morning, with the remainder returning to ANZAC Cove. Unfortunately, John Henry Baker had lost too much blood, and on the 11th of August, 1915, John Henry Baker died from his wounds, on the journey back to Alexandria.

John Henry Baker was a brave man and understood the sacrifice of going to war. He prepared a will in the case of his death, where he left his property for his father and his savings to his niece. For his service, John Henry Baker received three medals: a 1914-15 Star, a British War Medal, and a Victory Medal, which were given to John’s Father, William Baker. John Henry Baker now rests at the Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery.

Lest We Forget.