BAIRD, Robert Simpson
| Service Number: | 7196 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 18 July 1916, Melbourne, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 14th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Blowhard, Victoria, Australia, 1896 |
| Home Town: | Lismore, Corangamite, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Blowhard State School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 24 March 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
Westhof Farm Cemetery Plot II, Row D, Grave 1 Headstone Inscription "FATHER IN THY GRACIOUS KEEPING LEAVE WE NOW OUR LOVED ONE SLEEPING" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Blowhard & District Roll of Honor, Camperdown War Memorial, Lismore War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 18 Jul 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 7196, 14th Infantry Battalion, Melbourne, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Feb 1917: | Involvement Private, 7196, 14th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '11' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Feb 1917: | Embarked Private, 7196, 14th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Melbourne | |
| 26 Sep 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 7196, 14th Infantry Battalion, Polygon Wood, SW to head. Evacuated to hospital (France). Rejoined unit 23 October 1917. | |
| 24 Mar 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 7196, 14th Infantry Battalion, Neuve Eglise |
Dear Robert Darling...
Dear Robert Darling, hope you rest easy in your grave.
Me and Robert had a truly special relationship, we used to have wonderful picnics, and he would put jam in my face and kiss me hard on the lips, and we would run down to the beach, and he would pretend to be mermaids with me, memories like that show what a truly wonderful person Robert was, he created such joy in everyone's lives, and he was one of the braves, people, I know.
I am old now, and have created many more memories over the years, but Roberts memories is the ones I cherish the most, and they play on repeat all day long!
I will forever miss and love you Robert.
Love, your wife.
Submitted 11 October 2022 by Ebba Suess
Biography contributed by Daryl Jones
Son of James and Norah BAIRD, of Lismore, Victoria, Australia. Native of Blowhard, Victoria.
Biography contributed by Robert Wight
According to the unit diary, the 14th Battalion was billeted in Neuve Eglise when the Germans shelled the village on 24 March 1918.
Pte 7196 Robert Simpson Baird was the only fatality (one other soldier was wounded).
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