Name
Herbert James Baker
8th August 1882
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/11/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
25597
Northamptonshire Regiment
1st Battalion.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
WARLENCOURT BRITISH CEMETERY
VII. A. 22.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Inscription
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book, St Luke's Church Memorial, Bishops Hatfield
Pre War
Herbert James Baker was born in Hatfield, Herts, on 8th August 1882 ,son of James Baker and Clara Baker (nee Collins). The youngest of three children.
He was Baptised on 23rd August 1882, in the Parish of Bishops Hatfield. Attending Hatfield C of E School from July 1886 to June 1889.
1891 Census records Herbert aged 8 at school, living with his parents, brother John 13, and sister Mary 11, at Newtown Cottages, Hatfield, Herts. His father was working as a labourer.
By 1901 he had left school and was working as a Cowman on a Farm, still living at home with his parents, brother and sister in St Albans Road, Newtown, Hatfield, Herts. He was working as a cowman.
1911 Census records Herbert married to Elsie, they have 3 children, Arthur 4, Winifred 3 and William 5 months. It is believed they had two more children Sydney and Queenie. Herbert was now working as a domestic gardener.
Officially recorded living in Hatfield when he enlisted there.
Wartime Service
On his enlistment Herbert was posted to the 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment with the Service No. 25597.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of July 1916 recorded in the twenty-third List of Men Mobilised from Hatfield: “Baker, Herbert – Newtown - Northamptonshire Regt.” Later in January 1917: the magazine recorded that he had been Hatfield Roll of Honour- Killed in Action.
He was Killed in Action on 22nd November 1916. He is buried in the CWGC Warlencourt British Cemetery in France.
Awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
Additional Information
His effects of £2-6s-1d, Pay Owing and £3, War Gratuity went to his widow Elsie E. Baker.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Baker (Widow) of Union Lane, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album.”
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild, Stuart Osborne, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
