James William Baker (Junior)

First Name: 
James
Middle Name: 
William
Last Name: 
Baker
Date of Birth: 
Monday, February 18, 1895
Mother's Name: 
Lucy Elizabeth Baker (nee Marsden)
Father's Name: 
James Baker
Date Enlisted: 
Monday, September 27, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
4th Battalion
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Monday, November 6, 1916
Place of Death: 
France
Cause of Death: 
Wounded in action
Details: 

James Baker (Service No 4449) was born in Bulli, N.S.W.

James enlisted in the AIF when he was 21 years old.  He was single and employed as a coal miner at that time, and had previously served with the CMF.  

James embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A62 Wandilla with 14th Reinforcement, 4th Battalion on 3rd February 1916.  He arrived in Egypt on 7th March 1916 and was sent to France on 4th April 1916.

On 22nd May 1916 James was admitted to hospital in France suffering from tonsilitis, and then to hospital in England on 10th June 1916 with influenza.

He returned to his unit in France on 29th October 1916.  On 5th November 1916 the 4th Battalion was in action at Fleurs, France, when James was wounded, sustaining a shell wound to the head.  He was evacuated to 36th Casualty Clearing Station for treatment but died of his wounds the following day.

James is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L' Abbe, Plot V, Row F, Grave 8.

James was the only member of the Baker family who did not return home.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, BAKER J W