Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Bob Baldie was the first son of James and Annie Baldie and, before he enlisted, he lived with them on their farm at Thorpdale - country Victoria.  Bob's only brother, William David Baldie (Billie) had started farming on his own farm that was part of the family estate before he enlisted, too.  Both the boys were good horsemen - as many were in those days.  Like his mother, Bob had auburn hair and when he spent time in the desert on his postings the sun played havoc on his fair skin.  Bob was a gentle person with beautiful handwriting. He was articulate in the way he spoke and well regarded amongst his friends and family. It is hard to think of him and the duties that were required of him at the Battle of Beersheba (1917). He never spoke of his ordeals in the war but he took photos of posts and wrote locations on the back of them.  They will be made into a book, shortly.

On October 5th 1918 Bob lost his brother, Billie, in action in France. Bob was devastated - as were his parents, sisters and Billie's wife, Fran, and two young children (Lilly and Billie).  In 1919 Bob's distraught father, at the age of 61, died.  Bob's three year old nephew, Billie jn., died the same year. Fran was forced to sell her late husband's farm and her home. Bob remained strong for his family.

Bob stayed on at Thorpdale, married Charlotte Dawdy (Lottie) and started a new life. Lottie and Bob had three children - Margaret (Peg), Robert (Jock) and Isabella (Bid). It was hard work potato farming but the family was happy and thriving. Unfortuneatly tragedy struck Bob again when his wife died suddenly seventeen years after their marriage.

Bob sold up his farm and moved to Albert Park to join his eldest daughter, Peg,  who had started work in Melbourne and to rejoin his  teenage family. 

In his 70's Bob the skin cancer that had plagued him became worse.  He moved to Box Hill to live with his married daughter, Bid Fisher, and her large family.  Bob died suddenly after a bad bout of skin cancer that left him with the need to wear a prosthetic nose.

Bob was a devoted father and a cherished grandfather.  He is lovingly remembered and missed. Our family are proud of his achievements in doing so much for our freedom.