BAKER, John James
| Service Numbers: | 1566, 1526, S38295 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 28 July 1915, Enlisted 12th Reinf 3rd Light horse Brigade age 26 |
| Last Rank: | Warrant Officer Class 2 |
| Last Unit: | Volunteer Defence Corps (SA) |
| Born: | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 2 June 1889 |
| Home Town: | Keswick, City of West Torrens, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Wallaroo, South Australia, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 8 January 1957, aged 67 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia Catholic A section, Path AY, Grave 764A |
| Memorials: | Hamilton Superior Public School Roll of Honour, Richmond West Adelaide Football Club War Veterans Honour Roll |
World War 1 Service
| 28 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 1566, 12th Field Artillery Brigade , Enlisted 12th Reinf 3rd Light horse Brigade age 26 | |
|---|---|---|
| 18 Nov 1915: | Involvement Private, 1526, 3rd Light Horse Regiment, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '1' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Geelong embarkation_ship_number: A2 public_note: '' | |
| 21 Apr 1916: | Transferred 5th Divisional Ammunition Column | |
| 25 Aug 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, 5th Divisional Ammunition Column, Promoted to Corporal from Bombardier | |
| 21 Sep 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 12th Field Artillery Brigade | |
| 5 Jan 1919: | Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 12th Field Artillery Brigade |
World War 2 Service
| 12 Mar 1942: | Involvement Warrant Officer Class 2, S38295 | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Mar 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Warrant Officer Class 2, S38295, Volunteer Defence Corps (SA) | |
| 14 Feb 1945: | Discharged |
John James "Doughy" Baker
Name: John James Baker
Service Number: 1566
Place of Birth: Newcastle, New South Wales
Date of Birth: 2 June 1889.
Place of Enlistment: Keswick
Date of Enlistment: 28 July 1915
Age at Enlistment: 26
Marital Status: Single
Next of Kin: Mother – Mary Ann Baker
Occupation: Labourer
Religion: Protestant
Rank: Corporal
Biographical details
Involvement with WAFC:
John played 85 games for WAFC between 1910 – 1920 and was a member of the 1911 and 1912 Premiership teams and played 1 Australian Club Championship game in 1911. John made his debut on 25 June 1910. The WAFC Annual Reports of 1910 and 1911 spoke of his sound ruck and backline play. In 1914 John was awarded the Best All-Round player and given a certificate for his 5 years of service to the club. “Doughy” Baker was described as “a brilliant defender with splendid physique”(1) He was appointed Vice-Captain in 1920 when J.Leahy resigned from the position. He played 18 games for Sturt from 1921 to 1922. John played 1 State game in 1920 and coached West in 1936.
John was the son of John Baker and Katherine McDunner. John did his basic training at Mitcham Camp from 28 July to 1 October 1915. When at Moascar, in Egypt, he transferred to the 5th Division Artillery on 1 March 1916 and was appointed a bombardier on 1 May. John was promoted to the rank of Corporal on 26 July. His unit was sent to France on 25 January 1917. John was granted leave in the UK on 12 October. He accidentally fractured his left ankle when serving in Belgium on 26 January 1918 and received treatment at a Casualty Clearing Station. He was able to return to his unit in France on 11 April 1918 and in August was chosen to attend Cadet School in London. On 15 February he was treated at the 12th Australian Field Ambulance for gonorrhea, and was transferred to England where he was admitted to Bulford Hospital on 27 February. John returned to Australia on board the Ypiringa on 10 May and was discharged on 24 August 1919. John died on 8 January 1957 aged 67.
Source: NAA; B2455; Baker JJ; Barcode 3009867.
(1) W.T. Kelly History of West Adelaide Football Club pg13.
Submitted 28 September 2023 by christopher collins
Biography contributed by Kim Denyse
John 'Jack' Baker enlisted from Adelaide in July 1915 and went to Egypt with the 3rd Light Horse working his way up to a promotion to Corporal. After he was transferred to Marseilles France in the artillery he received his commission. Before enlisting he was employed in the railways and also as a builders labourer. He was a prominent member of the West Adelaide Australian Rules team.
Jack returned to Adelaide after celebrating with his family in Newcastle NSW from the war and later married Honoria Gittings in 1921. He had at least a son Clarence (who served in WWII as a Sub. Lieut. Navy) and a daughter Valmae Mary (who eventually married the famous horse trainer Bart Cummings).
John James Baker re-enlisted to serve in the Army Citizen Military Forces in WWII age 50.
Service Number - S38295 : Date of birth - 02 Jun 1889 : Place of birth - NEWCASTLE NSW : Place of enlistment - WAYVILLE SA : Next of Kin - BAKER HONORIA B884: Army Citizen Military Forces
His son Clarence enlisted in 1943 age 21 and served as a Sub. Lieut. Navy - cyphers
Jack worked as a cabinet maker and came back to play and then umpire his favourite game of Aussie Rules. In his later years, he was also a bowls enthusiast.
He died in Jan 1957 age 67.
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