BAKER, Alan Boyton
| Service Numbers: | 1590, S69471 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 24 November 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 10th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Adelaide, South Australia, 28 March 1894 |
| Home Town: | Adelaide, South Australia |
| Schooling: | St Peter's College, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Wool Student |
| Died: | Adelaide, South Australia, 26 May 1949, aged 55 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
North Road Cemetery, Nailsworth, South Australia Path 44S, Plot 8376-77 |
| Memorials: | Hackney St Peter's College Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 24 Nov 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Signaller, 1590, 10th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Feb 1915: | Involvement 1590, 10th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Feb 1915: | Embarked 1590, 10th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Melbourne | |
| 7 May 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Signaller, 1590, 10th Infantry Battalion, ANZAC / Gallipoli | |
| 19 May 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 10th Infantry Battalion | |
| 4 Sep 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 10th Infantry Battalion | |
| 27 Jun 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 1590, 10th Infantry Battalion |
World War 2 Service
| 25 Mar 1942: | Enlisted S69471 |
|---|
Help us honour Alan Boyton Baker's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by St Ignatius' College
Alan was born on the 28th of March 1894 in North Adelaide and was the youngest of three brothers. They were raised by his parents, Amy Eliza and William Baker in Lower Mitcham, South Australia. Before his enlistment, Alan's occupation was listed as a wool student after completing school at St. Peters College. He also served as a member of the voluntary school cadets at the college for five years.
On November 24, 1914, at the age of 21, Alan joined in the Keswick Barracks of the 10th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement, to serve as a signaller. This marked the beginning of Alan's military career. Alan's father, William W. Baker, was designated as his next of kin.
Alan joined battalion from reinforcements in Gallipoli on the 7th of May 1915 and later re-joined unit from the hospital on the 6th of July 1915. In January 1916, he overstayed his leave by four days, resulting in a punishment of 8 days paid. On the 27th of March 1916, he left Alexandria and arrived in Marseilles, France on the 3rd of April 1916.
In January 1917, he marched out to the 10th battalion in France and was recommended to be the second lieutenant on the 19th of May 1917, He got leave on the 24th of June, returning to his battalion on the 1st of July. Falling sick on the 6th of August 1917, he was admitted to the hospital, subsequently re-joining the 10th Battalion on the 14th of August. Promoted to lieutenant on the 4th of September, he left the hospital to re-join his battalion on the 29th of September. Finally, on the 8th of October 1917, he re-joined his battalion. Starting leave in France on the 18th of November 1917, he returned on the 6th of December.
Alan went to the hospital on the 10th of February 1918 due to a fractured right ankle, later being transported to England on the 23rd of February. Between February and July, he contracted an illness again, spending a total of 35 days in treatment. After another stint in hospital for 18 days, he was discharged on the 6th of February 1919, returning home to Australia a month later.
As the war ended, Alan began his journey back home to Australia. Boarding from Liverpool, he reflected on the trials and triumphs of his wartime service. Disembarking in Adelaide on the 27th of April. 1919, Baker’s appointment was terminated, marking the end of his official duties as a soldier.
Tragically, Baker’s life was cut short when he passed away on the 26th of May 1949, at the age of 55. Alan Boyton Baker's final resting place is at North Road Church of England Cemetery in Adelaide, South Australia. May his memory continue to inspire others to strive for peace and uphold the values for which he so valiantly fought.
Bibliography –
(2024a). Available at: https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=11025 (Accessed: 08 February 2024).
(2024a). Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/267280 (Accessed: 11 February 2024).
(2024a). Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P10501692 (Accessed: 12 February 2024).
(2024a). Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/R1898417 (Accessed: 12 February 2024).
(2024a). Available at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130975922/alan-boyton-baker (Accessed: 17 February 2024).
(2024). Available at: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/atwar/first-world-war#:~:text=For%20Australia%2C%20the%20First%20World,%2C%20gassed%2C%20or%20taken%20prisoner. (Accessed: 20 March 2024).
Photos –
FIGURE 1
(2024a). Available at: https://vwma.org.au/explore/units/1 (Accessed: 23 March 2024).
FIGURE 2
(2024a). Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMHS_Plassy (Accessed: 18 March 2024).
FIGURE 3
(2024a). Available at: https://cle.ens-lyon.fr/anglais/civilisation/commonwealth/the-1915-gallipoli-campaign-the-significance-of-a-disastrous-military-campaign-in-the-forging-of-two-nations (Accessed: 20 March 2024).
FIGURE 4
(2024a). Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1914%E2%80%9315_Star (Accessed: 26 March 2024).
FIGURE 5
(2024a). Available at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130975922/alan-boyton-baker (Accessed: 17 March 2024).