Name
John Stephen Marcus (Jack) Baker
14 November 1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
08/08/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
365092
London Regiment
(4137). 2nd/7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VIS-EN-ARTOIS MEMORIAL
Panel 10.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Kimpton memorials (*1), Not on the Hoddesdon memorials (*2) Family grave, Hoddesdon, Grandfather's grave, Kimpton
Pre War
John Stephen Marcus Baker was born on 14 November 1896 in Lambeth, the son of Frederick William and Agnes Baker and one of five children. He was baptised in St Andrew's Church, Stockwell Green, London on 6 January 1897.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Woolwich Common, London, where his father was working as an explosives examiner. His father died in 1906 and on the 1911 Census he was living with his widowed mother, two brothers and one sister, as well as a widowed aunt, at 85 Eltham Road, Lee, London. His mother's address on pension records was 119 Lee Road, Blackheath.
*1 It was reported that 'Jack' was not a "Kimpton lad" but was well know there as his mother was the daughter of Mrs Holmes of Park Lane, Kimpton and spent many holidays there.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Blackheath sometime in 1915 and joined the London Regiment, initially serving with the 20th Battalion, later transferring to the 7th Battalion.
John had been in France for over two years when he was killed in action on 8 August 1918. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £14 and pay owing of £19 5s 9d. Pension cards exist with his mother as dependant, but do not show the amount paid.
*2 John is also commemorated on the family headstone in Hoddesdon Cemetery. His part of the inscription reads:
IN PROUD AND LOVING MEMORY OF MY DEAR SON JOHN BAKER.
GRANDSON OF THE ABOVE [Daniel Holmes). KILLED IN ACTION FRANCE AUGUST 8TH 1918. AGED 20
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
